Romania naturalizes rival Cătălin Chirilă, after the Romanian lost the gold at the Olympic Games

The executive today published a draft decision to grant citizenship to Alexei Domentean (Republic of Moldova), just 17 years old.

At this year’s national championships, the sportsman registered with CS Dinamo finished second, after Cătălin Chirilă, in the 200 meter kayak for the seniors. He also competes in 500 and 1000 meters.

Romania drafted Cătălin Chirilă’s rival, Alexei Domentian

It is not ruled out that he will reach the big tournaments in the future and even compete against Cătălin Chirilă, popular in Paris 2024 but finished 9th.

“Domentean Alexei, through his evolution and special value in sports, is to the attention of the Romanian Kayak-Canoe Federation.

Especially for participating in international competitions, continental competitions, World Championships, international competitions, we submit to the approval of the Government, the draft decision on the giving Romanian citizenship to Mr. Domentean Alexei”, ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Cătălin Chirilă, favorite for gold at the Olympic Games, finished 9th

Cătălin Chirilă, registered at CSA Steaua, world champion in 2022 and former world champion in 2023, was fifth in the semi-finals of the 1,000 meter single row event at the Olympic Games and missed access to Final A (3 min 45 sec 78/ 100). He then won the B final, meaning he finished 9th overall.

The Romanian rower had set a new Olympic record in the row, in 3 min 44 sec 75/100defeated in the semi-final by the Czech Martin Fuksa (3:44.69), and then in the final (3 min 43 sec 16/100).

Romania has not won an Olympic medal in canoe-kayak since 2000 in Sydney, when Florin Popescu and Mitică Pricop won two medals in double canoe, gold at 1,000 meters and bronze at 500 meters.