Former Romanian rugby player Alin Petrache was elected president of the Romanian Olympic and Sports Comity (COSR) for a two -ear mandate, according to sources quoted by Agerpres newswire. Petrache got 143 votes out of a total of 202.

Petrache, 37 years, has been leading the Romanian Rugby Federation since 2009. In December 2012 he was elected for a deputy mandate in the Romanian Parliament, with the support of the Social Democratic Party (PSD).

He competed against Octavian Bellu, the coach of the Romanian gymnastics team, who led generations of Romanian gymnasts to Olympic gold medals, and against former rower Elisabeta Lipa, who was five time Olympic champion.

Petrache will replace former president Octavian Morariu, who stepped down after 10 years at the helm of the COSR.

editor@romania-insider.com