Ion Tiriac Offers Hyundai Ioniq 5 to Each Romanian Olympic Medalist

Ion Tiriac, the renowned Romanian businessman and former tennis star, has made headlines with his generous gesture towards Romanian athletes who participated in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Initially, Tiriac pledged to award a Hyundai Ioniq 5 electric car for each gold medal won by Romanian competitors. However, in a significant expansion of this initiative, he has given the exact vehicle to all Romanian athletes who earned medals, including silver and bronze.

A Celebration of Achievement

This announcement celebrates Romania’s impressive performance at the Olympics, where the country secured nine medals across various sports. The rowing team excelled, contributing five of those medals to the tally. Athletes such as David Popovici, who won both gold and bronze in swimming, and several rowers, including Andrei Cornea and Marian Enache, are among those who will receive the new vehicles.

Tiriac’s decision to extend the offer to all medalists reflects his commitment to recognizing Romanian athletes’ hard work and dedication. “We will continue to honour and applaud our Olympic medalists on the streets of Romania,” Tiriac stated, emphasizing the importance of celebrating their achievements.

Images shared on social media by entrepreneur Cristina Bâtlan showcased the fleet of Hyundai Ioniq 5 cars prepared for the athletes. These vehicles are a token of appreciation and symbolize the support and encouragement for future generations of athletes in Romania. The cars are inscribed with messages indicating the specific medals won, personalizing the gift for each recipient. One notable case is Ana Bărbosu, who initially lost her bronze medal due to a contested decision and had her medal reinstated by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. She will also receive a Hyundai Ioniq 5, underscoring Tiriac’s commitment to fairness and recognition.

The other gymnast involved in a controversial event, Sabrina Voinea, received a Hyundai Ioniq 5 from Ion Tiriac despite finishing fourth in her event at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Although she did not win a medal, Tiriac awarded her a car as part of his initiative to support and recognize Romanian athletes. He also offered her a small reward after the world saw her heel never touching the mat during her exercise. This gesture highlights Tiriac’s commitment to honouring all athletes’ efforts, not just those who medaled. Voinea received a special medal of 14k gold and life insurance from one of Tiriac’s companies along with the car.

Ion Tiriac’s initiative has sparked excitement and gratitude among Romanian athletes and the broader sports community. By rewarding all medalists, he acknowledges their achievements and fosters a culture of support for sports in Romania. As the athletes prepare to receive their new cars, they are reminded that their hard work and dedication have not gone unnoticed, setting a positive precedent for the future of Romanian sports.