Sinaia (RWH) The International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation IBSF mourns Ion Panțuru. As reported by the national federation Federatia Romana de Bob si Sanie, the former Romanian bobsleigh pilot passed away on January 17, aged 81.
1968 in Grenoble (FRA), Ion Panțuru won the first and to date only Winter Olympic medal for Romania: With push athlete Nicolae Neagoe he won bronze in two man bob. World Championships silver (1969) and bronze (1973) as well as two medals at European Championships (silver 1967 and 1969) completed his medal collection in two man bob. In the four man bob, Ion Panțuru was 1967 and 1971 European Champion and won three more European Championships medals (1968 and 1969 silver, 1970 bronze).
After he retired as athlete, Ion Panțuru was coach for the Romanian federation.
„Ion Panțuru was a great athlete and really important for the sport of bobsleigh in Romania“ said IBSF president Ivo Feriani. „With him, his country, but also the IBSF sliding family lost a great sportsman. Our sincere condolences to his family. We will always honor his memory.“ ©RWH2015-2016