BEIJING, Aug 17: Romania’s Georgeta Andrunache made a vain bid on Sunday to become the most successful Olympic rower of all time and now plans to get married after years of dedication to her sport.

She completed the pair and eights double in both Athens and Sydney. In Beijing, she landed the pairs gold on Saturday but had to be satisfied with bronze in the eights behind the United States and the Netherlands. But the 32-year-old boasts an impressive haul of five Olympic gold medals, putting her on a par with compatriot Elisabeta Lipa and Britain’s Steve Redgrave.

Afterwards, she was heartbroken. In floods of tears, her head bowed, she refused to talk to reporters.

Viorica Susanu, who had rowed to gold with her in the pairs, said: “We were tired after the race yesterday.”

“The Americans are a much youger team than us,” she said.

The Romanians just lost the silver medal position in a photo finish with the Dutch eight. Shrugging philosophically, Susanu said, “Anyway, it is a medal.”

Andrunache was first selected by rowing talent scouts at the age of 13. Dedication can cost an athlete dear.

After her victory in the pairs on Saturday, Andrunache said “Now my boyfriend will understand why I didn’t spend so much time with him last year.”

She dedicated the gold medal to him. Now, with his patience rewarded, they are going to get married next month.—Reuters