December 5, 2008

"Sandra Could Be a TV Star"

For all the Sandra Izbaşa fans out there (you know who you are), this is our translation of an article which appeared in Libertatea on December 4. Enjoy!

"Sandra Could Be a TV Star"

The head coach of the Romanian national team, Nicolae Forminte, advises Sandra Izbaşa to go into show business.

Nicolae Forminte, the coach from Deva, says he'd let his pupil interview him if Sandra Izbaşa (aged 18) were ever to become a TV anchor: "Besides being an intelligent girl, she's also beautiful," he explained.

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Sandra and Forminte (photo: Libertatea)

Two weeks from now, the national team's winter training will start in Poiana Braşov [one of Romania's prettier mountain resorts, where the national gymnastics team traditionally spends some time each winter]. “We'll spend Christmas in Poiana Braşov, and New Year's Eve in Deva. We won't allow ourselves an overly long vacation. We have a lot of work to do," Forminte told Libertatea.

The Deva coach explained that Sandra Izbaşa, the Olympic champion on floor, is not thinking of leaving the national team. She wishes to go on being a high-level athlete, at least until after she has graduated from high school [next year, we believe].

"After the Olympics Sandra received many offers to take part in a series of fashionable activities. Among other things, she received an invitation from the producers of [the Romanian version of] Dancing with the Stars. If she'd accepted those offers, she wouldn't have been able to go through the training process anymore, so she declined them," Forminte told us.

"I think that, after graduating from college, Sandra stands a good chance of having a successful career in the world of show business or TV. She could even become a TV star. Besides being an intelligent girl, she's also beautiful," the coach said. "I'd love to go to a show presented by Sandra. I'm absolutely convinced she'd ask me some very pertinent questions about gymnastics," Forminte went on to say.

Somehow so are we.

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Is that a TV anchor's face or what? (Photo: The One)

The most interesting thing about the Libertatea article is the caption which hovers over the top photo when you move your mouse across it: "Flapper Sandra Izbaşa (aged 18), Beijing Olympic champion, dreams of becoming a model." Really? We know Sandra has done a few photo shoots, but as far as we know, she's never said anything about becoming a model...

6 comments:

  1. I found this interview with Izbasa: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vXjeFzGoRc&feature=related

    I don't know if you have seen it. I don't know a word of Romanian, but according to a few of the English comments, Izbasa won't refuse a modeling career. It sounds like her coach made the suggestion, though.

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  2. Thanks for the video, Muffy. Sandra doesn't actually say anything about modeling in it; as you said, it's Forminte who's making the suggestion, and she says "Yes" in a "Whatever" kind of tone, as if she was either being bashful about her modeling aspirations and too embarrassed to talk about them or just not very interested. We think it might be the latter. Either way, we'll keep an eye on Sandra's future extracurricular activities. Thanks for the viddy!

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  3. Thanks for the interpretation of the video. I noticed that Izbasa looked somewhat embarrassed/awkward throughout the interview. I'm not sure she seemed 100 percent psyched about her coach's suggestion.

    Keep up the great work on the blog!

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  4. It certainly was an awkward interview. She often seems a little embarrassed during interviews, but this one seemed particularly awkward. She actually looked bored. She'll have to learn to relax in front of the camera if she's ever to have the TV or modeling career Forminte appears to want her to have!

    Thanks for the kind words. We'll do our best!

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  5. I don't think she's bored, but slightly embarrased. She seems like she's aware of herself, but doesn't like to talk much. Forminte also gave her the nickname "Oscar", even before the Olympics, saying she's simply shining like the Oscars at Hollywood!! At one point in the video she talks about her father, a doctor working at a hospital, and how her father's job and dedication impressed her and gave her power.

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  6. She's definitely embarrassed, but a little bored too, we think. There are points in the video where she just gives off this "whatever" vibe. But you're right, it mostly seems to be because she's feeling ill at ease and doesn't like all the attention.

    We read an article about Sandra's day in the hospital with her father. We're thinking of translating it and posting it at some point when the competitive season is over and there won't be much other news. It certainly adds a nice touch to Sandra's personality.

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