Dan Grecu

Dănuţ "Dan" Grecu (born 26 September 1950) is a retired Romanian artistic gymnast who specialized in rings. In 1974 he became Romania’s first world champion in artistic gymnastics and was named Romanian Athlete of the Year.[2][3] Grecu competed at the 1972, 1976 and 1980 Olympics and won a bronze medal in 1976;[1] he had to withdraw from the 1980 Olympics due to a muscle tear sustained on the rings.[2] In addition to his 1974 gold medal he won two world and two European medals on the rings.[4][5] He retired due to injuries to his shoulder and biceps sustained in training while preparing to the 1980 Olympics.[6]

Dan Grecu
Grecu in 1976
Personal information
Full nameDănuţ Grecu
Country represented Romania
Born (1950-09-26) 26 September 1950
Bucharest, Romania[1]
Height170 cm (5 ft 7 in)
Weight66 kg (146 lb)
DisciplineMen's artistic gymnastics
ClubCS Dinamo București[2]
Head coach(es)Octav Ungureanu
Mircea Badulescu[2]
Retired1980
Medal record
Olympic Games
Bronze medal – third place1976 MontrealRings
World Championships
Gold medal – first place1974 VarnaRings
Silver medal – second place1979 Fort WorthRings
Bronze medal – third place1978 StrasbourgRings
European Championships
Gold medal – first place1975 BernRings
Silver medal – second place1973 GrenobleRings

Grecu was one of five siblings of a border guard officer. At the age of 12 he took up gymnastics because he loved climbing anything hanging around, like ropes and tree branches.[6] After retiring from competitions Grecu had a long career as gymnastics coach with the national team.[2] Grecu is married to a fellow gymnastics coach Elena Grecu. They have two children: daughter Simona and son Bogdan.[6]

References

  1. Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Dan Grecu". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 20 May 2011.
  2. Danut Grecu. Romanian Olympic Committee
  3. Gymn-Forum Dănuţ Grecu
  4. Gymn-Forum 1975 European Artistic Gymnastics Championships Men’s Events Finals
  5. Gymn-Forum 1973 European Artistic Gymnastics Championships Men’s Events Finals
  6. Despre mine. dangrecu.ro
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