Athletes for Athletes in Romania

Valeria Racila van Groningen and husband Stevan van Groningen in Bucharest before the race

Olympic rowing champion Valeria Racila van Groningen from Romania donned her running shoes and hit the streets of the Romanian capital over the weekend for the cause of sport for all.

Racila van Groningen, women’s single scull gold medallist at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles teamed up with husband Stevan van Groningen, Dutch rowing team member at the same Olympic Games, to participate in the Marathon-Flanco in the city of Bucharest. The athletic couple opted to run the shorter half marathon race as they are in full preparation to take part in the Grand Athens Marathon that takes place in November.

46 year-old Racila van Groningen ran the 21 kms in 1 hour and 44 minutes while husband Stevan, also 46, clocked 1 hour and 45 minutes.

The rowers participated in the event as part of a working group called “Athletes for Athletes” created by elite level Romanian athletes from a variety of sports. Other rowers at the event included four-time Olympic champion Elisabeta Lipa, currently preparing for her fifth Olympic Games participation, who acted as starter for the race.

Double Olympic rowing gold medallist Georgeta Andrunache (Damian) showed support and joined other Olympic Champions such as Camelia Potec (swimming), Violeta Beclea and Monica Iagar (athletics) for the opening ceremony of the race.

The working group support a programme of sport for all in Romania as well as develop social and voluntary services.