The National Order “Steaua Romania” in the rank of knight, the most important distinction offered by the Romanian state, was received with great emotion, on Wednesday, by Gică Hagi (60 years), which became the seventh personality in the tricolor sport that receives this honor.
Octavian Morariu, right, along with former president Traian Basescu
Before him, the medal was hanged at Rever by Mircea Lucescu (2009), Octavian Morariu (2012), Anghel Iordănescu (2014), Emeric Ienei (2017), Simona Halep (July 2019), Ivan Patzaichin (November 2019) and David Popovici (2022). Only the last one is a sportsman in activity. The medal is granted only by the President of the State.
Nadia, forgotten
Such solemn moments take place around important events in which the awarded ones are involved. In the case of Hagi, not any performance (the Lighthouse missed the qualification in the play-off and will fight in the play-out) gave the medal’s grant, but to reach the age of a round age. If it had been after the results, the “king” should have gone to Cotroceni since 2001, when he withdrew from football. Only no president, neither the one (Ion Iliescu) nor those who followed him, had the idea of organizing a ceremony for the greatest Romanian footballer. Like Hagi, names like Nadia Comăneci or Ilie Nastase were forgotten by the first man in the state, whatever he was. The two mentioned, as did Elisabeta Lipă (the most valuable caniners of the last century), made Gică Hagi’s “gallery” on Wednesday, in Cotroceni, wanting to convey to the authorities that they deserve such a medal. Nadia was met, at the wedding with Bart, by Adrian Năstase, former prime minister of Romania, a close relative of President Ion Iliescu, but was omitted by the power since then.
The dynamovist who goes with the “star” as a child
The swimmer David Popovici, legitimized at the Dinamo club, was the sensation of Romania at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where he won the gold in the 200 meter free race. But, Popovici received Lauri in Cotroceni from Klaus Iohannis since July 2022. He was only 17 years old and was the double world champion and multiple European youth champion, performance that made him the head of state decorate him with the National Order “Steaua Romania” in the rank of knight. David Popovici was since the time the largest swimmer in the history of Romania, after conquering the gold medals in the 100 and 200 meters free at the Budapest World Championships. Then, at the European Junior from Otopeni, he won 5 medals, 4 gold, 50 m free, 100 m free, 200 m free, 4×100 m free and a silver at the combined 4×100 m free.
Halep, Lauri after Wimbledon
Simona Halep was awarded by a loving president and tennis practitioner, Sibiu Klaus Iohannis, almost 6 years ago. The event took place on July 30, 2019, after leaving Serena Williams without a trophy in London. “I am very excited, this moment is harder than the Wimbledon final. Thank you! ”, Was the final message of Simona Halep, who came after the speech of the President of Romania. According to a statement from the Presidential Administration, the head of state offered Simona Halep this distinction in “high appreciation and recognition for winning the Wimbledon tennis trophy, for the exceptional sports results obtained throughout the career, for completing the position among the best players of the world, as well as for the Romanian sports, as well as for internationally and its popularization among young people, being a symbol of the young generation of athletes ”. The largest tennis player in the history of Romania, Halep recently withdrew from the activity, at the age of 33, with two Grand Slam trophies in Palmares (it was also imposed on Roland Garros, in 2018, after two lost finals, in 2014 and 2017), but also with the first place reached in the WTA World Hierarchy.
Also in 2019, the multiple Olympic champion Ivan Patzaichin was decorated by President Klaus Iohannis with the National Order “Steaua Romania” in the rank of knight, within a ceremony at the Cotroceni Palace on November 26, 2019.
“Il Luce”, awarded in 2009
With performances as a player and as a coach at the national team, but also in the Dinamo and Rapid teams, Mircea Lucescu received “Steaua Romania” on May 22, 2009, after an external success. It was granted by the then president of Romania, Traian Basescu. “Il Luce” received the National Order “Steaua Romania” in the rank of Knight, but neither his student, Răzvan Rat, left with an empty hand: he chose with less important distinction, the “sports merit” order III. The distinctions granted by “Băse” came after their team, Shahtior Donețk, won the UEFA Cup, after a final with the German band Werder Bremen (score 2-1). “The President of Romania, Traian Basescu, signed on Friday, May 22, the decree on conferring the National Order” Steaua România “in the rank of Mr. Mircea Lucescu, coach of the Shahtior Donetk-Ukraine, as a sign of high appreciation of the entire football activity and the performance, In Istanbul ”, it was stated in a statement published on the official website of the Presidency.
Morariu wrote history at the IF
Formerly important player in Romania’s rugby national, Octavian Morariu gradually climbed into the hierarchy. First he led the specialized federation as president, then climbed the Romanian Olympic and Sports Committee (COSR). Morariu managed to enter the CIO management structures. Octavian Morariu was chosen by the Congress of the International Olympic Committee (CIO) as a member of the International Forum in 2013. It thus became the fourth representative of Romania after Prince Bibescu (1899-1901), George A. Plagino (1909-1947) and Alexandru Şiperco (1955-1998). Morariu was Vice-President of Fira-air from 2004 and president of the FRR in 2001-2003. Since 2004, he has run the Romanian Olympic Committee, then became the president of the European Rugby Federation. The last Romanian who had the quality of CIO member, Alexandru Şiperco, died in 1998. Since then, Romania had two attempts to regain the place in the IOC: through Ion Tiriac, in 2000, and through Nadia Comăneci, in 2004. Both, without a positive result.
Ienei and Iordănescu, accustomed to Steaua
Former coaches Emeric Ienei and Anghel Iordănescu hold, in their turn, the valuable distinction that their former student received on Wednesday. The two were awarded for the multiple performances from the national team, but also from Steaua, a band with which they conquered the European Champions Cup in 1986. The first as “main”, and the other as a second-jacket coach. Nea led my national Cup national in 1990 and Euro 2000, while Tata Puiu led the golden generation to the 1994 American final tournaments, but also at CM in France 1998, the last world that Romania took part in. It was also at two Europeans, 1996 and 2012. Ienei is 87 years old and withdrew from coaching to Native Oradea. Iordănescu does not profess, at the age of 74, either. Instead, Lucescu is holding “green”, at 79.
The advantages offered by the national order
The highest distinction of Romania, the National Order, “Star of Romania”, and this brings it benefits. These include invitations to various national brand events, including the celebration of the National Day of Romania. Also, those who receive the Order “Star of Romania” have special facilities, including the right to a free place. The order may include a maximum number of 3,650 members, organized into six distinct steps, each with own signs for civilians, military and war heroes. The history of the Order “Star of Romania” dates from the period of the reign of Alexandru Ioan Cuza, who at instituted and approved, ordering 1,000 copies. Initially, this order had five degrees: knight, officer, commander, great officer and great cross. Cuza proposed the name “Order of the Union” and introduced the numbers “5” and “24” to symbolize its double choice in the two principalities, Moldova and the Romanian Country. The motto “General et Cordres Frares” (brothers through origins and feelings) was inscribed on each distinction granted. In 1948, the Order “Star of Romania” was repealed, but was re -established in December 1998, with a new regulation introduced in 1999, which allowed it to grant both Romanian and other countries.
