By Nick Butler

Alin Petrache has been elected President of the Romanian Olympic and Sports Committee ©COSRAlin Petrache, the former captain of the national rugby union team who is currently head of the Romanian Rugby Federation, has been elected to replace Octavian Morariu as President of the Romanian Olympic and Sports Committee (COSR).


Petrache becomes the 16th COSR President, and ensures the body remains led by a figure with a rugby background, following Morariu, elected President of the European Rugby Association in 2012.before becoming a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) last September.

Morariu has stood down after ten years at the helm of COSR last month following his election as a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) last September.

He claims he wants to prioritise his IOC and international rugby commitments. 

Petrache will complete the rest of Morariu's term, which is due to end in 2016, secured a total of 143 votes out of the 202 cast at the COSR General Assembly in Bucharest. 

This put him comfortably clear of rivals Octavian Belu, the long-standing coach of the Romanian gymnastics team, and one of the greatest rowers in history in five-time Olympic gold medal winner Elisabeta Lipa.

They managed 33 and 21 votes respectively.

Of the 123 COSR members, 109 were present at the meeting, with many able to place multiple votes depending on their position within the organisation.

Alin Petrache being tackled in his playing days by an English opponent during a match in 2001 ©AFP/Getty ImagesPetrache being tackled in his playing days by an English opponent during a match in 2001 ©AFP/Getty Images



Petrache, 37, enjoyed six years as part of the Romanian national team between 1998 and 2004, during which he scored five tries in 30 matches and featured at the 1999 World Cup.

After representing a number of clubs across Europe, the flanker ended his career for French Championship side AS Béziers from 2003 until his retirement in 2005.

He was appointed President of the Romanian Rugby Federation in 2009, and between 2012 and 2013 served as vice-president of the National Agency for Sport and Youth.

Petrache was also deputy general secretary of COSR between 2005 and 2009, before becoming vice-president in 2013.

In 2012 he was elected a member of the Romanian Parliament, where he represents the Social Democrat Party (PSD).

Among his many challenges ahead will be improving the Romanian medal haul at Rio 2016, after the European nation finished in 27th place in the rankings at London 2012 with nine podium finishes, of which two were gold. 

Contact the writer of this [email protected]@insidethegames.biz


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