07 Dec 2011
Rowing’s multi-talented Angela Alupei
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Angela Alupei with daughter Francesca and husband Dorin |
Angela, coming in at spot number eight of the top ten women for 2005, is one of those long-lasting, dominating Romanians. At 34, Angela has been on the international scene for more than a decade showing her range of rowing talents by racing at different stages of her career in the double, eight and quad as well as the lightweight single and double. She has competed at three Olympic Games and won two Olympic golds, both in the lightweight double. Formerly Angela Tamas, Alupei married fellow rower and two-time Olympian Dorin Alupei. They have a daughter together. Angela took time out from family commitments to talk to World Rowing journalist Melissa Bray about her experiences as a rower. World Rowing: What got you interested in rowing in the beginning? |
For me, as for many people in my village, there was confusion between rowing and canoe-kayak. The first steps were a challenge for me. I thought that I would meet many people, that I would travel around the world and the most important thing, I thought, was that I could be one of the champions. The dream came true for me.
World Rowing: Do you have a mentor?
Angela: My mentor is my first coach Ioan Dospinescu, now President of the Romanian Rowing Federation. The athlete I admire is my partner, Constanta Burcica because she never gives up.
World Rowing: You have now won two Olympic gold medals. Which one do you think was harder?
Angela: 2000, because it was the first and the first is always harder.
World Rowing: What was the main difference for you between the three Olympic Games that you have competed at?
Angela: Experience, good training and, for Athens, the place (Greece is near our country).
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World Rowing: You took a break from international rowing after 2000. What did you do? World Rowing: What made you decide to come back for another Olympics? World Rowing: Are you aiming to row at Beijing? World Rowing: What do you do when you’re not rowing? |
Angela Alupei with partner Constanta Burcica |
World Rowing: What is your favourite boat to row in?
Angela: Double sculls.
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