With the worst possible timing, one of Romania's best gold medal hopes for the London Olympics has developed an injury. Star gymnast Larisa Iordache is suffering from plantar fasciitis – an inflammation of the tissue on the bottom of the foot that connects the heel bone to the toes and forms the arch of the foot.

Iordache played a vital role in Romania's team gold at the European Gymnastics Championships, where she picked up a gold for the floor exercises and silver on the beam, behind Romania's Catalina Ponor. Gymnastics coaches Octavian Belu and Mariana Bitang said that medal chances are now much lower, but that they are hoping the 16 year old gymnast can recover in time to compete. The coaches also raised the possibility of Iordache only competing on the parallel bars.

The London Olympics will start today with the opening ceremony scheduled to start at 21:00 British time, (23:00 in Romania). Before reaching the arena, the Olympic flame will be carried down the River Thames in the Royal Barge Gloriana.

Liam Lever, liam@romania-insider.com

photo source: Romanian Gymnastics on Facebook