Olga Cristea of Moldova wins the women's 800m at the 2006 IAAF World Junior Championships (© Getty Images)
Olga Cristea and Ion Luchianov have been named the best Moldovan athletes of the year by the Executive board of the Athletics Federation of Moldova.
The best international performance of both athletes was made during their participation in the World Universiade in Bangkok. Olga Cristea was the 4th in the 800m race with the result of 2:01.84 (season best and second in her carrier), while Ion Luchianov won the bronze medal in the Steeplechase, with 8:23.83, establishing a new national record.
For Luchianov, 26, it’s the 3rd nomination, while for Olga Cristea it is already the 4th, although she will only turn 20 this December.
Both of the winners plan to participate in the Olympic Games in Beijing next year. It will be the 2nd time for the athletes. Luchianov has already got qualified for Games, while Cristea plans to do this next spring. Beijing is a lucky city for her, one year ago she won the World Junior gold medal in 800m race in the city, the first ever such achievement in Moldovan athletics history.
Mihail Cravtov, the coach of both athletes naturally,won the coach’s contest.
Serghei Donets for the IAAF