Born: 1964
Elisabeta Lipă (Romanian pronunciation: [elisaˈbeta ˈlipə]; née Oleniuc on 26 October 1964) is a retired rower and government official from Romania. She is the most decorated rower in the history of the Olympics, winning five gold, two silver, and one bronze medals. Lipă holds the record amongst rowers for the most years between gold medals, at 20 years. Throughout her life and career, she has made significant contributions to the sport of rowing, as well as serving her country in various government positions.
Lipă began her rowing journey at the age of 13 when she joined the Dinamo București Sports Club. Her talent and determination were evident from the start, and she quickly rose through the ranks. At the age of 19, she made her Olympic debut at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California. There, Lipă won her first gold medal in the double sculls event, becoming the youngest Romanian rower to achieve such a feat.
Over the course of her illustrious career, Lipă continued to excel on the international stage. She went on to win gold medals in both sculling and sweep events, a rare accomplishment for any rower, let alone a woman. Lipă’s versatility and technical prowess were unmatched, making her a formidable force in the sport. Her most recent gold medal came at the 2004 Athens Summer Olympics, where she triumphed in the eight.
Not only is Lipă a trailblazer in rowing, but she is also a trailblazer in terms of longevity in the sport. She became the first female rower and the second rower overall to compete at six Olympics, a testament to her enduring dedication and passion.
In addition to her sporting achievements, Lipă has contributed to the development of rowing in Romania. Since 2009, she has served as the president of the Romanian Rowing Federation and the Dinamo București Sports Club. Under her leadership, these organizations have thrived, nurturing young talent and ensuring the continued success of Romanian rowing on the international stage.
Beyond her involvement in the world of sports, Lipă has also made significant contributions to her country’s government. From 2015 to 2017, she served as the Romanian Minister of Youth and Sport under the Cioloș Cabinet. In this position, she worked tirelessly to promote the importance of physical activity and instill a sense of national pride in Romanian athletes.
Throughout her life, Elisabeta Lipă has been motivated by a deep love for rowing and a desire to excel on the world stage. Her accomplishments have not only brought her personal success but have also inspired generations of young athletes, both male and female. She has paved the way for women in sport, proving that with hard work and determination, anything is possible.
Awards:
– Five gold medals at the Olympics
– Two silver medals at the Olympics
– One bronze medal at the Olympics
– Thomas Keller Medal at the Rowing World Cup in Lucerne (2008)
– Honorary citizen of Siret, her native town.