Why is Romania abreviated as "ROU" at the olympics?

Question

Why is Romania abreviated as "ROU" at the olympics and what is stand for?

Answer 1

Until very recently, the abbreviation was ROM.

ROU is close to the French spelling "Roumanie". Here in Romania we have a long French-speaking tradition, this might have been a factor.

In the twentieth century, Romania was also spelled Rumania. (so ROU would be somewhere inbetween...)

The news sometime in the year 2002 said:

"The request to make this change was made by the Romanian government, but no specific rationale was provided, and some conjectured it had to do with shunning the abbreviation "ROM," the Romanian word for "gypsy." "

Kind of stupid, but makes sense with Gypsies all around Europe being called "Romanians". Which is wrong.

Answer 2

I think the abbreviation is in their language.

Answer 3

abbrervations r not necessarily first 3 alphabets...

Answer 4

I was wondering the same thing :D