Eduard Novak is the incumbent prime minister who wins a medal at the Paralympic Games. Photo: Facebook / Government of Romania
Cyclist Eduard Novak, Minister of Youth and Sports, won the silver medal in the 4,000 m individual pursuit event (category C4), on Friday, at the Paralympic Games in Tokyo.
UPDATE 10.55. Prime Minister Florin Cîţu congratulated Eduard Novak for the medal won in Tokyo.
“Another medal for Romania! Congratulations, Eduard Novak for the silver obtained in the 4000 m individual pursuit event, at the Paralympic Games that are taking place these days, in Tokyo. A good minister, a successful athlete! Good luck in the future! ”, Said Cîțu, according to a post on the Government’s Facebook page.
“Good luck to all the athletes who are part of the Romanian delegation at the Paralympic Games! Proud of you! ”He added.
Novak was defeated in the final for the gold medal by the Slovak Jozef Metelka, despite a better start. Metelka was also better in the qualifiers on Friday, being registered with a time of 4 min 22 sec 772/1000, a new world record, while Novak came second, in 4 min 31 sec 212/1000, reports Agerpres.
Novak thus brought the first medal of the Romanian delegation to the Paralympic Games in Tokyo and the fourth in his record. Novak (44 years old) also has a gold in 2012, in London (cycling – individual pursuit, category C4), a silver in 2008 in Beijing (cycling – setback, cat. LC2) and another silver in London in 2012 (cycling – setback, cat. C4)
Romania ‘s record in the history of the Paralympic Games is completed by the bronze medal won by Alex Bologa, in 2016, in Rio (judo – cat. 60 kg).
Novak becomes prime minister in a medal medal in the history of the Paralympic Games.
Also on Friday, in cycling on the velodrome, Eduard Mihăiţă Moescu placed 17th in the 1,000 m time trial, cat. C1, from 22 participants.