ANALYSIS OF THE EVOLUTION OF JUNIOR A RESULTS FOR GIRLS IN ROMANIA AT SHORT TRACK COMPARED TO THE RESULTS OBTAINED BY TOP ATHLETES

Abstract

The present study wants to highlight the level of progress and development of short track speed skating in Romania. The study I propose is based on the results obtained by the short track skaters at the National Championships in Romania, monitored for six years between 2014 and 2022. The 1st-3rd places were taken into account, being compared with the world records of that period to highlight the differences between the top results and those achieved at national level. The study was done at the Junior A women age level, the 500m, 1000m and 1500m competitions being targeted. From the data presented it can be seen that for the 1st place in ranking, the best result in the 500m race is achieved in 2017 with a time of 47.32 sec, and the worst result is 53 sec in 2022. The 1000m competition is characterized by various evolutions at the level of sportsmen in Romania, the best result achieved at the level of 1st place ranking being 1:51.60 min in 2021 compared to the worst that was obtained in 2015 with a time of 2:06.020. In the 1500m competition, 2021 is the year with the best result (2:57.12 min), and the worst result obtained at national championships was 3:20.00 min achieved in 2022. In the context presented above we can see a big difference compared to the world record, the biggest difference being 1:01.30 min in 2022 and the smallest being 32.20 sec in 2014. The poor results obtained last year are obvious, the 500m and 1500m competitions being the weakest of those presented, confirming the statement that, with the lack of funding and optimal training conditions, the motivation of the athletes decreases, the prolongation of this situation leading to the abandonment of the sport. Although the year 2022 is not characterized by the worst result obtained in the 1000 m race, it is noted that the trend is to increase the time obtained compared to 2016-2021.