Moldova’s best athlete in recent years, Ion Luchianov, obtained the bronze medal of the 2010 European Championships. The medal was handed to him on Thursday, March 10, by the Minister of Youth and Sports Ion Cebanu. Luchianov obtained the honor after Spanish athlete Luis Blanco was disqualified for doping. Ion Luchianov is happy with the medal, although it wasn’t won on the stadium. “It’s still an achievement, a trophy, my best to date”, he said. For his performance at last year’s European Championship in Barcelona, he will receive 30,000 lei from the Ministry of Youth and Sport. Moreover, his stipend will be increased from 5000 to 7000 lei. The 30 year old athlete thought about representing another country, but finally gave up the idea. He is now preparing for the 2012 Summer Olympics.