The Romanian women's
gymnastics team surprised the world, but most especially the Soviets,
when they won the team gold medal at the 1987 World Championships
in Rotterdam. The Romanian team set a record on FX where Dobre
and teammates Silivas and Voinea all scored tens. Hot on the
heels of victory, Dobre advanced to the AA where she performed
beautifully to take home the gold. Many gymnastics fans continue
to cite her optional FX routine as one of their all-time favourites!
As the World AA champion in a
pre-Olympic year, Dobre seemed poised to contend for the elusive
Olympic AA title...that is, until disaster struck and she
required knee surgery. Dobre was never able to regain her
championship form following surgery, and although she made the
Olympic team, she was a shadow of her former self. Following a
disappointing Olympics -- in which the Soviets regained their
gold team title and teammate Daniela Silivas was, in my opinion,
robbed of the gold -- Dobre and many of her teammates pushed ahead
to the 1989 World Championships in Stuttgart.
In 1989, the world witnessed
Romania’s bloody revolution which culminated in the murder
of Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceaucescu on Christmas day. Many
Romanians gave their lives to the Revolution. Interestingly, the
lives of the Comaneci family were saved by this Revolution.
Following Nadia Comaneci’s defection from Romania two weeks
earlier, Ceaucescu retaliated and personally ordered her
family’s death.
In the midst of the confusion and
ensuing financial woes of the Revolution, Deva was temporarily
closed and Dobre, whether by decision or by circumstance,
retired...at only age 17! Here's some interesting trivia: if you
looks at the leotards that the Romanian gymnasts wore following
the Revolution (i.e., 1991 USA vs Romania), you will note that a
'V' appears on the (left?) shoulder of their leotards. The V
stands for 'Victory' in memory of the Revolution. Dobre finished
another year of high school and performed some exhibitions.
In 1990, Dobre became a
controversial figure when she spoke out against the Romanian
gymnastics system. Then, in 1991, she shocked many when she posed
nude in an eight-page spread for the September issue of Dutch Playboy. She was reportedly paid $50,000.
In 1991, Dobre and teammate Silivas
competed in the World Professional Championships held in the USA.
Yes, there HAS been a World Professional Championships without
any members of the MAG 7, a refreshing thought I know! Soon after
the 1991 World Professional Championships, Dobre met Fit 'n Fun gym owner Boz Mofid. On November 7th, 1992
Dobre and Mofid were married. Attending the wedding were former
Romanian gymnasts Lavinia Agache and Daniela Silivas.
Dobre now helps out at the gym,
choreographing and teaching dance. She and Mofid have four sons,
the first two are named Cyrus and Darius and the last two -- twins -- are named Marcus and Lucas. This twins were born in late
February.
Dobre was born on November 6th, 1972.
. This page was created on January 26, 1999 and last updated on December 16, 1999.
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