Octavian Belu
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Octavian Belu (b. February 17, 1951 in Ploieşti) is a Romanian gymnastics coach, and was head of the national team, with interruptions, between 1988 and 2005. He retired from this position after a notorious incident in which several gymnasts were photographed by Romanian tabloid journalists as they were sneaking out from training camp to nightclubs. Although a moderately successful gymnast in his early years, Belu's success has been in the field of coaching rather than performing, and he has spent his adult life in this profession. He currently serves as an advisor on the staff of President Traian Băsescu.
Highly successful, Belu led the team to five world and two Olympic titles, as well as coaching numerous individual gold medalists - since the History of the 1991 break-up of the Soviet union, Romania has been the most successful women's gymnastics power. However he has been accused of abusive coaching methods by several gymnasts, including Alexandra Marinescu and Sabina Cojocar. Also coached such accomplished gymnasts as Lavinia Miloşovici, Andreea Răducan, Simona Amânar and Cătălina Ponor.
