ROMANIANS AND THE OLYMPIC GAMES: TOKYO 2020 & PARIS 2024

In the wake of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, a new analysis by Publicis Groupe Romania highlights a significant surge in the Romanian public’s interest in the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

According to the study, a remarkable 66% of Romanians plan to follow the Paris Olympics, more than doubling the 31% who tuned in for the Tokyo edition. This growing enthusiasm underscores a broader trend of national support for the Romanian Olympic team, with standout athletes like David Popovici capturing the public’s imagination and leading the charge in personal branding.

The study also delves into the continued dominance of football in Romania, the public’s awareness of Olympic achievements, and the potential for athletes to enhance their visibility and connection with fans.

With these insights, the article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the shifting dynamics in sports viewership and athlete recognition in Romania.

• Paris 2024 Olympics:
  • 66% of Romanians declare they will watch the Paris 2024 Olympics, a significant increase from the 31% who watched the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
  • David Popovici is the most popular athlete from Team Romania, with 27% of respondents indicating they will follow his performance in Paris. Other athletes mentioned include Irina Begu, Cătălin Chirilă, Lăcrămioara Perjoc, Vlad Stancu, Bernadette Szőcs, and Alina Rotaru, but their recognition is much lower.
• Tokyo 2020 Olympics:
  • The previous Olympics were watched by 31% of Romanian adults, with higher viewership among men (38%) compared to women (24%), and more urban (34.2%) than rural (25.9%) residents.
  • Romania won 4 medals in Tokyo:
    • Gold: Nicoleta Ancuța Bodnar and Simona Radiș in Women’s Double Sculls (Rowing).
    • Silver: Ana Maria Popescu in Women’s Épée (Fencing), Ștefan Berariu, Mugurel Semciuc, Cosmin Pascari, Mihăiță Țigănescu in Men’s Coxless Four (Rowing), and Ciprian Tudosă, Marius Cozmiuc in Men’s Coxless Pair (Rowing).

• Medal Awareness:
  • Only 17% of Romanians correctly knew that Romania won 4 medals at Tokyo 2020.
  • Nicoleta Ancuța Bodnar and Simona Radiș were the most remembered athletes, with 7% of respondents recalling their names.
  • A small percentage (less than 3%) could correctly name all the medal-winning athletes.

• Interest in Sports:
  • Football remains the most popular sport in Romania, with 88% of adults watching Euro 2024 matches.
• Athlete Popularity and Branding:
  • David Popovici stands out as the most popular and recognized athlete, highlighting his exceptional performance and strong personal branding.
  • The lower recognition of other athletes suggests a potential for them to improve their personal branding to connect better with the public.

The survey conducted by Publicis Groupe Romania was based on quantitative research with a representative sample of 500 men and women over 18 years old, interviewed between July 16-19, 2024.