Gymnastics Coach Gets 8-Year Jail Sentence

BUCHAREST, Romania - A coach who caused the death of a promising young gymnast has been sentenced to eight years in jail, the Gymnastics Federation said today.

Trainer Florin Gheorghe was convicted late last year on charges of aggravated assault causing death and sentenced Tuesday. Witnesses said he caused the death of 11-year-old Adriana Giurca after he reportedly lost his temper and beat her for sloppy performance during a training session in the fall of 1993. She died in a hospital of a broken neck two days later, the sports daily Gazeta Sporturilor reported.

Bucharest's Municipal court also ordered Gheorghe and his local sports club to pay $6,000 to the gymnast's parents. The average Romanian earns the equivalent of $90 a month.