The decision of the executive Committee of COSR, to entrust Olt branch of AOR to organize the 2008 edition of the cross “Olympic Day”, was an important strategic measure. Through this, was tried the expansion of the Sportive and Olympic phenomenon towards urban centers in development. Also, they had in mind the dynamism of the hosting branch, recently established, that had a very good collaboration with the local Administration and especially with the County Council, since the first year of its existence (2007).
            The option has proven to be valid. A small town, but welcoming, with firm ambitions in sports, placed the event in the center of it concerns. On the main boulevard of the town, among flowers and shining edifices, the 550 runners aligned for the start weren’t just ambassadors of Olympics, but also the expression of an enthusiastic participation, motivated and willing of self overcoming.
            The race of people with disabilities, that prefaced the cross, meant a success through the number and the ambition of the participants, but also through the respect, interest and the love that surrounded all these efforts were received and cherished by the audience present on the sidewalks.
            Worthy to note is that neither the hot weather, nor the summer holidays were decisive impediments. More, the sportive representation of the competitors was supplemented by the elegant and attractive evolution of the young dancers that came from the Children’s Palace, completing happily the complex character of the manifestation.
            The traditional and consistent prizes that were offered to the winners by the Romanian Olympic Committee of Sports (19, to 6 different categories, plus the one offered to the most numerous family that participated) stimulated and repaid, finally, the effort laid by them. Worthy to remember is the fact that, in category “the eldest participant”, the first place were given to the 78 year old Emilian Popovici from Sibiu and 74 year old Emil Sufletel from Alba Iulia, both came from Slatina, especially to take part at the cross. Also, the local officials mobilized to attract sponsors whose contribution increased the attraction on the raffle in the end.
            In general, we can conclude that the 2008 edition of the National Cross demonstrated not only the availability of all ages to measure their strengths in a such competition, but also the capacity of small towns to successfully fulfill the organizing responsibilities that proceed from an initiative of such proportion.