Cristina Bontas' Biography

Cristina Bontas was born on December 5, 1973 in Onesti. She began
gymnastics in 1980 under Mihai & Dorina Sandulescu in Onesti. She
has an older sister & a younger brother. In 1986 she was selected for
the national team & made the move from her home in Bacau to Deva.
After the retirement of Daniela Silivas in 1989, Cristina became the
leader of the team, all the way until she retired. In Deva, her best friend
was Maria Neculita, but at home in Onesti her best friends were Iuliana
Filip & Florentina Cimpureanu. Bars was the most difficult event for her
& her favorite events were floor & beam. After the 1992 Olympics where
she placed 4th. all-around, Cristina competed in a few more international
competitions but then retired. She was 19. She moved to Hamilton,
Ontario, Canada to coach at Mountain Star Gymnastics. In 1998 she
returned to Romania & married Gabi Tataru. Without her new husband,
Cristina had to return to Canada, but was soon joined by Gabi once his
immigration papers went through. In May 1999 the couple had their
first child, a girl named Elisa Raluca Tataru. In 1991, she competed for
the Italian club of Gal Lissone.

              
                                 last updated: August 29, 2000