Abuse Claims, Legal Investigation: Inside Romanian Gymnastics Coach Camelia Voinea’s Temporary Suspension

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Sep 21, 1988; Seoul, SOUTH KOREA; FILE PHOTO; (left to right) Eugenia Golea, Camelia Voinea, Aurelia Dobre, Daniela Silivas, Celestina Popa and Gabriela Potorac of Romania on the podium after placing second in the women's gymnastics team all around during the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games at Olympic Gymnastics Hall. © George Long-USA TODAY NETWORK

The Romanian Gymnastics Federation has temporarily suspended the legendary gymnastics coach, Camelia Voinea, following a series of physical and psychological abuse cases alleged by her students. The Federation has confirmed that the allegations are serious enough to have crossed into the criminal territory; hence, the sporting authority will freeze its own internal disciplinary review and hand over the case to Romania’s criminal justice system to further review, which will conduct a formal criminal investigation.

Camelia Voinea is a retired artistic gymnast who has competed in several competitions throughout her career, including winning the silver medal in the 1988 Olympics, but is renowned for her elite coaching style, specifically helping her daughter, Sabrina Voinea, win multiple accolades. Despite the success, Voinea has found herself in harsh waters as she faces the wrath of the Romanian Gymnastics Federation following reports of severe abuse.

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Through the course of several months, a series of media leaks and public testimonies by athletes brought the plight of many abuse victims to light and has now escalated the matter to great heights. The abuse came to light following a public revelation made by the elite gymnast Denisa Golgotă, who filed a complaint with the sports authority, alleging Voinea threatened violence, which further prompted multiple other athlete victims to come out and voice their experiences with the coach.

Golgotă specifically stated in her released statements that Voinea would threaten to beat the artistic gymnast violently.

“She even said she would hit me until I was disfigured and needed plastic surgery.”

Voinea’s endeavor with these allegations dates back to November 2025, when a video emerged of her verbally abusing her daughter as she cried and pleaded during a grueling gymnastics session. Despite the explosive footage, Voinea came out in support of her mother and stated that everything was just part of the process to greatness, as her mother remains the cornerstone of her success.

All the allegations have the violent treatment of athletes in common that led to psychological threats, ultimately leading to trauma. An ex-gymnast from the Farul Constanta club, who has not disclosed her name, has alleged that Voinea’s violent outbursts and abuse were so severe that the gymnast had developed suicidal ideations.

The FRG has acknowledged the allegations strongly and, in its press release, mentioned the need for respect, responsibility, and the protection of athletes as the core foundations of the sport.

Camelia Voinea Denies The Abuse Claims

Camelia Voinea has publicly challenged the claims and has also raised questions on the Romanian Federation’s decision that she views as a coordinated campaign to damage her reputation. In a statement, Voinea alleged that the Federation wants to take her daughter away from her and that these accusations are designed to undermine her accomplishments.

“It’s wrong. Because there are people who wanted to steal my work. This was pursued here and they want to take Sabrina, who is next to me and can declare at any time that she doesn’t work with anyone else and that only her mother was a champion and has the study she has,” Camelia Voinea told Observator.

These revelations mark a massive reawakening for sports bodies globally and especially for Team Romania, which has been heralded as a global powerhouse in gymnastics.

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