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== Early life == == Early life ==
Comaneci was born in ], ], as the daughter of Gheorghe and Ştefania-Alexandrina.<ref> ''Young Athlete,'' August 1978</ref><ref>''Letters to a Young Gymnast''. Comaneci, Nadia. 2004, Basic Books. ISBN 0465012760</ref> Her pregnant mother was watching a Russian film in which the heroine of the story's name was Nadya, the shortened version of the Russian name ''Nadyezhda'' (which means, literally, "Hope"). She decided that her daughter would be named Nadia, too. Comaneci also has a younger brother named Adrian.<ref>''Letters to a Young Gymnast''. Comaneci, Nadia. 2004, Basic Books. ISBN 0465012760</ref> Comaneci was born in ], ], as the daughter of Gheorghe and Ştefania-Alexandrina.<ref> ''Young Athlete,'' August 1978</ref><ref>''Letters to a Young Gymnast''. Comaneci, Nadia. 2004, Basic Books. ISBN 0465012760</ref>{{page number}} Her pregnant mother was watching a Russian film in which the heroine of the story's name was Nadya, the shortened version of the Russian name ''Nadyezhda'' (which means, literally, "Hope"). She decided that her daughter would be named Nadia, too. Comaneci also has a younger brother named Adrian.<ref>''Letters to a Young Gymnast''. Comaneci, Nadia. 2004, Basic Books. ISBN 0465012760</ref>{{page number}}


==Early gymnastics career== ==Early gymnastics career==
Comaneci began gymnastics at the age of 6. Some published sources state that Comaneci began taking gymnastics lessons with the coaches Duncan and Munteanu,<ref> Barbara Fisher and Jennifer Isbister, 2003, Gymnastics Greats.com</ref> but others, including Comaneci's autobiography ''Letters to a Young Gymnast'', mention only that ] was her coach, and that she was chosen for his school after he spotted her and a friend turning cartwheels in a schoolyard.<ref>''Letters to a Young Gymnast''. Comaneci, Nadia. 2004, Basic Books. ISBN 0465012760</ref><ref> ''Young Athlete,'' August 1978</ref> Comaneci began gymnastics at the age of 6. Some published sources state that Comaneci began taking gymnastics lessons with the coaches Duncan and Munteanu,<ref name=Fischer> Barbara Fisher and Jennifer Isbister, 2003, Gymnastics Greats.com</ref> but others, including Comaneci's autobiography ''Letters to a Young Gymnast'', mention only that ] was her coach, and that she was chosen for his school after he spotted her and a friend turning cartwheels in a schoolyard.<ref>''Letters to a Young Gymnast''. Comaneci, Nadia. 2004, Basic Books. ISBN 0465012760</ref>{{page number}}<ref> ''Young Athlete,'' August 1978</ref>


Comaneci was training with the Károlyis by the time she was 7 years old, in 1969. She was one of the first students at the gymnastics school established in Onesti by Béla and his wife, Marta, who would later defect to the United States and become coaches of many prominent American gymnasts. Unlike many of the other students at the Károlyi school, Comaneci was able to commute from home for many years because she lived in the area.<ref>''Letters to a Young Gymnast''. Comaneci, Nadia. 2004, Basic Books. ISBN 0465012760</ref> Comaneci was training with the Károlyis by the time she was 7 years old, in 1969. She was one of the first students at the gymnastics school established in Onesti by Béla and his wife, Marta, who would later defect to the ] and become coaches of many prominent American gymnasts. Unlike many of the other students at the Károlyi school, Comaneci was able to commute from home for many years because she lived in the area.<ref>''Letters to a Young Gymnast''. Comaneci, Nadia. 2004, Basic Books. ISBN 0465012760</ref>


Comaneci placed 13th in her first Romanian National Championships in 1969. A year later, in ], she began competing as a member of her hometown team and became the youngest gymnast ever to win the Romanian Nationals.<ref> ''Young Athlete,'' August 1978</ref> In 1971, she participated in her first international competition, a dual junior meet between Romania and Yugoslavia, winning her first all-around title and contributing to the team gold. For the next few years, she competed as a junior in numerous national contests in Romania and additional dual meets with nearby countries such as ], ] and ].<ref> Comaneci placed 13th in her first Romanian National Championships in 1969. A year later, in 1970, she began competing as a member of her hometown team and became the youngest gymnast ever to win the Romanian Nationals.<ref> ''Young Athlete,'' August 1978</ref> In 1971, she participated in her first international competition, a dual junior meet between Romania and Yugoslavia, winning her first all-around title and contributing to the team gold. For the next few years, she competed as a junior in numerous national contests in Romania and additional dual meets with nearby countries such as ], ] and ].<ref>
Gymn-Forum</ref> At the age of 11, in 1973, she won the all-around gold, as well as the vault and uneven bars titles, at the Junior Friendship Tournament (Druzhba), an important meet for junior gymnasts.<ref>''Letters to a Young Gymnast''. Comaneci, Nadia. 2004, Basic Books. ISBN 0465012760</ref><ref>, Gymn-Forum</ref> Gymn-Forum</ref> At the age of 11, in 1973, she won the all-around gold, as well as the vault and uneven bars titles, at the Junior Friendship Tournament (Druzhba), an important meet for junior gymnasts.<ref>''Letters to a Young Gymnast''. Comaneci, Nadia. 2004, Basic Books. ISBN 0465012760</ref>{{page number}}<ref>, Gymn-Forum</ref>{{vc}}{{failed verification}}


Comaneci's first major international success came at the age of 13, when she nearly swept the ] European Championships in ], Norway, winning the all-around and gold medals on every event but the ], in which she placed second. She continued to enjoy success in other meets in 1975, winning the all-around at the "Champions All" competition and placing first in the all-around, vault, beam, and bars at the Romanian National Championships. In the Pre-Olympic test event in ], Comaneci won the all-around and the balance beam golds, as well as silvers in the vault, floor, and bars behind accomplished Soviet gymnast ], who would prove to be one of her greatest rivals over the next five years.<ref> Comaneci's first major international success came at the age of 13, when she nearly swept the 1975 European Championships in ], Norway, winning the all-around and gold medals on every event but the ], in which she placed second. She continued to enjoy success in other meets in 1975, winning the all-around at the "Champions All" competition and placing first in the all-around, vault, beam, and bars at the Romanian National Championships. In the Pre-Olympic test event in ], Comaneci won the all-around and the balance beam golds, as well as silvers in the vault, floor, and bars behind accomplished Soviet gymnast ], who would prove to be one of her greatest rivals over the next five years.<ref>
Gymn-Forum</ref> Gymn-Forum</ref>


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==Montréal Olympics== ==Montréal Olympics==
At the age of 14, Comaneci became one of the stars of the ] in ]. During the team portion of the competition, her routine on the uneven bars was scored at a 10.0. It was the first time in modern Olympic gymnastics history that the score had ever been awarded. The scoreboards were not even equipped to display scores of 10.0 &mdash; so Nadia's perfect marks were reported on the boards as 1.00 instead.<ref> ''Olympic Review,'' Paul Ziert, 2005</ref> Over the course of the Olympics, Comaneci would earn six additional 10s, en route to capturing the all-around, beam and bars titles and a bronze medal on the floor exercise. The Romanian team also placed second in the team competition.<ref name= "InterGym"> ''International Gymnast'' magazine</ref> At the age of 14, Comaneci became one of the stars of the ] in ]. During the team portion of the competition, her routine on the uneven bars was scored at a 10.0. It was the first time in modern Olympic gymnastics history that the score had ever been awarded. The scoreboards were not even equipped to display scores of 10.0—so Nadia's perfect marks were reported on the boards as 1.00 instead.<ref> ''Olympic Review,'' Paul Ziert, 2005</ref> Over the course of the Olympics, Comaneci would earn six additional 10s, en route to capturing the all-around, beam and bars titles and a bronze medal on the floor exercise. The Romanian team also placed second in the team competition.<ref name= "InterGym"> ''International Gymnast'' magazine</ref>


Comaneci was the first Romanian gymnast to win the all-around title at the Olympics. She also holds the record as the youngest Olympic gymnastics all-around champion ever; with the revised age-eligibility requirements in the sport (gymnasts must now turn 16 in the calendar year to compete in the Olympics; in 1976 gymnasts had to be 14 by the first day of the competition<ref> ''Olympic Review,'' 1980</ref>), this record will stand indefinitely. Comaneci was the first Romanian gymnast to win the all-around title at the Olympics. She also holds the record as the youngest Olympic gymnastics all-around champion ever; with the revised age-eligibility requirements in the sport (gymnasts must now turn 16 in the calendar year to compete in the Olympics; in 1976 gymnasts had to be 14 by the first day of the competition<ref> (PDF). ''Olympic Review,'' 1980</ref>), this record will stand indefinitely. <!--This statement needs to be fixed, never say never, indefinitely is a long time, what if the age requirments change again? -->


Comaneci's achievements at the Olympics generated a significant amount of media attention. The theme song from the ] ] '']'' became associated with her after the television program ] used it as background music for montages of her routines. The song became the best seller of the year 1976, and the composer, ], renamed it to "]" after her.<ref> International Olympic Committee (IOC) website</ref> However, Comaneci never actually performed to "Nadia's Theme." Her floor exercise music was a medley of the songs "Yes Sir, That's My Baby" and "Jump in the Line" arranged for piano. Comaneci's achievements at the Olympics generated a significant amount of media attention. The theme song from the ] ] '']'' became associated with her after the television program ] used it as background music for montages of her routines. The song became the best seller of the year 1976, and the composer, ], renamed it to "]" after her.<ref> International Olympic Committee (IOC) website</ref> However, Comaneci never actually performed to "Nadia's Theme." Her floor exercise music was a medley of the songs "Yes Sir, That's My Baby" and "Jump in the Line" arranged for piano.


She was the 1976 BBC Sports Personality of the Year in the overseas athletes category<ref> BBC press office</ref> and the ]'s 1976 "Female Athlete of the Year".<ref> MSN Encarta</ref> She also retained her title as the UPI Female Athlete of the Year. <ref></ref> Back home in Romania, Comaneci's success led her to be named a "]", she was the youngest Romanian to receive such recognition during the reign of ].<ref> Barbara Fisher and Jennifer Isbister, 2003, Gymnastics Greats.com</ref> She was the 1976 BBC Sports Personality of the Year in the overseas athletes category<ref> BBC press office</ref> and the ]'s 1976 "Female Athlete of the Year".<ref> MSN Encarta</ref> She also retained her title as the UPI Female Athlete of the Year. <ref></ref> Back home in Romania, Comaneci's success led her to be named a "]", she was the youngest Romanian to receive such recognition during the reign of ].<ref name=Fischer/>


== 1977-1980 == == 1977–1980 ==
Comaneci successfully defended her European all-around title in 1977, but when questions about the scoring were raised, Ceauşescu ordered the Romanian gymnasts to return home. The team followed orders and controversially walked out of the competition during the event finals.<ref>''Letters to a Young Gymnast''. Comaneci, Nadia. 2004, Basic Books. ISBN 0465012760</ref><ref> Barbara Fisher and Jennifer Isbister, 2003, Gymnastics Greats.com</ref> Comaneci successfully defended her European all-around title in 1977, but when questions about the scoring were raised, Ceauşescu ordered the Romanian gymnasts to return home. The team followed orders and controversially walked out of the competition during the event finals.<ref>''Letters to a Young Gymnast''. Comaneci, Nadia. 2004, Basic Books. ISBN 0465012760</ref><ref name=Fischer/>


Following the 1977 Europeans, the Romanian Gymnastics Federation removed Comaneci from her longtime coaches, the Károlyis, and sent her to ] to train at the 23 August sports complex. The change was not positive for Comaneci. Grappling with both the stress of her parents' divorce and the new training environment, she was extremely unhappy and her gymnastics and overall fitness suffered.<ref>''Letters to a Young Gymnast''. Comaneci, Nadia. 2004, Basic Books. ISBN 0465012760</ref><ref> Barbara Fisher and Jennifer Isbister, 2003, Gymnastics Greats.com</ref> An overweight and out of shape Comaneci showed up at the ]. A fall from the uneven bars resulted in a 4th place finish in the all-around behind ], Nellie Kim, and ], but Comaneci won the beam title. Following the 1977 Europeans, the Romanian Gymnastics Federation removed Comaneci from her longtime coaches, the Károlyis, and sent her to ] to train at the 23 August sports complex. The change was not positive for Comaneci. Grappling with both the stress of her parents' divorce and the new training environment, she was extremely unhappy and her gymnastics and overall fitness suffered.<ref>''Letters to a Young Gymnast''. Comaneci, Nadia. 2004, Basic Books. ISBN 0465012760</ref><ref name=Fischer/> An overweight and out of shape Comaneci showed up at the ]. A fall from the uneven bars resulted in a 4th place finish in the all-around behind ], Nellie Kim, and ], but Comaneci won the beam title.


After the 1978 Worlds, Comaneci was permitted to return to Deva and to the Károlyis.<ref>''Letters to a Young Gymnast''. Comaneci, Nadia. 2004, Basic Books. ISBN 0465012760</ref> In 1979, a newly slim and motivated Comaneci won her third consecutive European all-around title, becoming the first gymnast, male or female, to achieve the feat. At the ] that December, Comaneci led the field after the compulsory competition but was hospitalized prior to the optional portion of the team competition for blood poisoning caused by a cut in her wrist from her metal grip buckle. Against doctors' orders, she left the hospital and competed on the beam, where she scored a 9.95. Her performance helped give the Romanians their first team gold medal. After her performance, Comaneci spent several days recovering in All Saints Hospital and underwent a minor surgical procedure for the infected hand, which had developed an ].<ref> ''The Epistle,'' (All Saints Episcopal Hospital), January 1980 </ref><ref>''Letters to a Young Gymnast''. Comaneci, Nadia. 2004, Basic Books. ISBN 0465012760</ref><ref>''Little Girls in Pretty Boxes.'' Ryan, Joan. 1995, Doubleday. ISBN 0385477902</ref> After the 1978 Worlds, Comaneci was permitted to return to Deva and to the Károlyis.<ref>''Letters to a Young Gymnast''. Comaneci, Nadia. 2004, Basic Books. ISBN 0465012760</ref> In 1979, a newly slim and motivated Comaneci won her third consecutive European all-around title, becoming the first gymnast, male or female, to achieve the feat. At the ] that December, Comaneci led the field after the compulsory competition but was hospitalized prior to the optional portion of the team competition for blood poisoning caused by a cut in her wrist from her metal grip buckle. Against doctors' orders, she left the hospital and competed on the beam, where she scored a 9.95. Her performance helped give the Romanians their first team gold medal. After her performance, Comaneci spent several days recovering in All Saints Hospital and underwent a minor surgical procedure for the infected hand, which had developed an ].<ref> ''The Epistle,'' (All Saints Episcopal Hospital), January 1980 </ref><ref>''Letters to a Young Gymnast''. Comaneci, Nadia. 2004, Basic Books. ISBN 0465012760</ref><ref>''Little Girls in Pretty Boxes.'' Ryan, Joan. 1995, Doubleday. ISBN 0385477902</ref>
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Comaneci participated in the ] in ], placing second in the all-around to ]. She defended her Olympic title in the balance beam and tied with Kim for the gold medal in the floor exercise. The Romanian team finished second overall. Comaneci participated in the ] in ], placing second in the all-around to ]. She defended her Olympic title in the balance beam and tied with Kim for the gold medal in the floor exercise. The Romanian team finished second overall.
Comaneci retired from competition in 1981. Her official retirement ceremony took place in Bucharest in 1984 and was attended by the IOC Chairman.<ref> ''Olympic Review,'' Paul Ziert, 2005</ref> Comaneci retired from competition in 1981. Her official retirement ceremony took place in Bucharest in 1984 and was attended by the ] Chairman.<ref> ''Olympic Review,'' Paul Ziert, 2005</ref>


== Post retirement == == Post retirement ==
In 1981, Comaneci participated in a gymnastics exhibition tour in the ].<ref>. Ira Berkow, ''New York Times,'' March 6, 1981</ref> During the tour, her coaches, Béla and Marta Károlyi, along with the Romanian team choreographer Geza Pozar, defected.<ref>''Little Girls in Pretty Boxes.'' Ryan, Joan. 1995, Doubleday. ISBN 0385477902</ref> Upon her return to Romania, Comaneci's actions were strictly monitored. She was granted leave to attend the 1984 Olympics in ] but was supervised for the entire trip. Aside from that journey, and a few select trips to Moscow and Cuba, Comaneci was forbidden to leave the country for any reason."<ref> ''Olympic Review,'' Paul Ziert, 2005</ref> Life..." she wrote in her autobiography, "took on a new bleakness."<ref>''Letters to a Young Gymnast''. Comaneci, Nadia. 2004, Basic Books. ISBN 0465012760</ref> In 1981, Comaneci participated in a gymnastics exhibition tour in the United States.<ref>. Ira Berkow, ''New York Times,'' March 6, 1981</ref> During the tour, her coaches, Béla and Marta Károlyi, along with the Romanian team choreographer Geza Pozar, defected.<ref>''Little Girls in Pretty Boxes.'' Ryan, Joan. 1995, Doubleday. ISBN 0385477902</ref> Upon her return to Romania, Comaneci's actions were strictly monitored. She was granted leave to attend the 1984 Olympics in ] but was supervised for the entire trip. Aside from that journey, and a few select trips to Moscow and Cuba, Comaneci was forbidden to leave the country for any reason."<ref> ''Olympic Review,'' Paul Ziert, 2005</ref> Life..." she wrote in her autobiography, "took on a new bleakness."<ref>''Letters to a Young Gymnast''. Comaneci, Nadia. 2004, Basic Books. ISBN 0465012760</ref>{{page number}}


Working in Romania, between ] and ], Comaneci was a member of the Romanian Gymnastics Federation and helped coach the Romanian junior gymnasts. In November of 1989, a few weeks before the Revolution, she defected with a group of other young Romanians. Her overland journey took her through Hungary, Austria, and finally, to the United States.<ref> Barbara Fisher and Jennifer Isbister, 2003, Gymnastics Greats.com</ref><ref>''Letters to a Young Gymnast''. Comaneci, Nadia. 2004, Basic Books. ISBN 0465012760</ref><ref name= "InterGym" /> Working in Romania, between 1984 and 1989, Comaneci was a member of the Romanian Gymnastics Federation and helped coach the Romanian junior gymnasts. In November of 1989, a few weeks before the Revolution, she defected with a group of other young Romanians. Her overland journey took her through Hungary, Austria, and finally, to the United States.<ref name=Fischer/><ref>''Letters to a Young Gymnast''. Comaneci, Nadia. 2004, Basic Books. ISBN 0465012760</ref>{{page number}}<ref name= "InterGym" />


After settling in the United States, Comaneci spent most of her time touring and promoting lines of gymnastics apparel and aerobic equipment. She also dabbled in modeling, appearing in ads for wedding dresses and Jockey underwear.<ref name= "InterGym" /> After settling in the United States, Comaneci spent most of her time touring and promoting lines of gymnastics apparel and aerobic equipment. She also dabbled in modeling, appearing in ads for wedding dresses and Jockey underwear.<ref name= "InterGym" />
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In 1994, Comaneci became engaged to U.S. gymnast ], whom she had met for the first time in 1976 at the American Cup. Together with Conner, she returned to Romania for the first time since her defection (and since the fall of ] and of Ceausescu), and the couple were married in Bucharest on ]]. The ceremony was broadcast live in Romania, and the reception was held in the former presidential palace.<ref name= "InterGym" /><ref> ''Cincinnati Post,'' April 6, 1996</ref> In 1994, Comaneci became engaged to U.S. gymnast ], whom she had met for the first time in 1976 at the American Cup. Together with Conner, she returned to Romania for the first time since her defection (and since the fall of ] and of Ceausescu), and the couple were married in Bucharest on ]]. The ceremony was broadcast live in Romania, and the reception was held in the former presidential palace.<ref name= "InterGym" /><ref> ''Cincinnati Post,'' April 6, 1996</ref>


On ], ], Comaneci became a ] of the ]. She has also retained her Romanian passport, making her a ].<ref> Barbara Fisher and Jennifer Isbister, 2003, Gymnastics Greats.com</ref> On ], ], Comaneci became a ] of the United States. She has also retained her Romanian passport, making her a ].<ref name=Fischer/>


In ], Comaneci's autobiography, ''Letters To A Young Gymnast'', was published. The memoir answers questions that she has received in letters from fans. She has also been the subject of several unofficial biographies, television documentaries and a made-for-television film, ''Nadia,'' that was broadcast in the United States shortly before the 1984 Olympics.<ref></ref> In December 2003, Comaneci's autobiography, ''Letters To A Young Gymnast'', was published. The memoir answers questions that she has received in letters from fans. She has also been the subject of several unofficial biographies, television documentaries and a made-for-television film, ''Nadia,'' that was broadcast in the United States shortly before the 1984 Olympics.<ref></ref>


Comaneci and Conner welcomed their first child, a baby boy named Dylan Paul Conner, on ], ] in ], ].<ref> Associated Press, June 6, 2006</ref><ref> Catalina Iancu, ''Jurnalul National,'' August 28 2006</ref> Comaneci and Conner welcomed their first child, a baby boy named Dylan Paul Conner, on ], ] in ], ].<ref> Associated Press, June 6, 2006</ref><ref> Catalina Iancu, ''Jurnalul National,'' August 28 2006</ref>
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In 2003, the Romanian government appointed her as an Honorary Consul General of Romania to the United States to deal with bilateral relations between the two nations. She performs this function based out of her ], office.<ref name="consul"> Summer 2006. Accessed January 28, 2007.</ref> In 2003, the Romanian government appointed her as an Honorary Consul General of Romania to the United States to deal with bilateral relations between the two nations. She performs this function based out of her ], office.<ref name="consul"> Summer 2006. Accessed January 28, 2007.</ref>


In the world of gymnastics, Comaneci is the Honorary President of the Romanian Gymnastics Federation, the Honorary President of Romanian Olympic Committee, Ambassador of Sports of Romania and a member of the International Gymnastics Federation Foundation. She and her husband own the Bart Conner Gymnastics Academy, the Perfect 10 Production Company and several sports equipment shops. They are also the editors of ''International Gymnast'' magazine. Additionally, Comaneci and Conner have provided television commentary for many gymnastics meets, most recently the 2005 World Championships in ]..<ref name= "InterGym" /> In the world of gymnastics, Comaneci is the Honorary President of the Romanian Gymnastics Federation, the Honorary President of Romanian Olympic Committee, Ambassador of Sports of Romania and a member of the International Gymnastics Federation Foundation. She and her husband own the Bart Conner Gymnastics Academy, the Perfect 10 Production Company and several sports equipment shops. They are also the editors of ''International Gymnast'' magazine. Additionally, Comaneci and Conner have provided television commentary for many gymnastics meets, most recently the 2005 World Championships in ].<ref name= "InterGym" />


On ] ], ], Nadia was a "mob" participant on the American version of the game show ], and was not eliminated until the last 20 members of the mob were left. On ], ], Nadia was a "mob" participant on the American version of the game show ], and was not eliminated until the last 20 members of the mob were left.


==Awards== ==Awards==
Comaneci received the ], the highest award given by the ], in 1984 and 2004. She is the only person to receive this honor twice, and was also the youngest recipient. She has also been inducted into the ]<ref>{{cite web | title = NADIA COMANECI | work = International Gymnastics Hall of Fame | url = http://www.ighof.com/honorees/honorees_nadia.html | accessmonthday = May 12 | accessyear = 2007 }}</ref> Comaneci received the ], the highest award given by the ], in 1984 and 2004. She is the only person to receive this honor twice, and was also the youngest recipient. She has also been inducted into the ].<ref>{{cite web | title = Naida Comaneci | work = International Gymnastics Hall of Fame | url = http://www.ighof.com/honorees/honorees_nadia.html | accessmonthday = May 12 | accessyear = 2007 }}</ref>


In 2005, Fox.com elected the Greatest Athletes in 150 years of Sports history, Nadia placed 4th in the final voting, ahead of ] and ], and was the highest ranked female athlete. In 2005, Fox.com elected the Greatest Athletes in 150 years of Sports history, Nadia placed 4th in the final voting, ahead of ] and ], and was the highest ranked female athlete.{{cn}}


== Special skills == == Special skills ==
* On the uneven bars, Comaneci performed her own release move, a kip to front salto. The skill is named after her in the women's '']'' and, as of 2005, is rated as an 'E' element. * On the uneven bars, Comaneci performed her own release move, a kip to front salto. The skill is named after her in the women's '']'' and, as of 2005, is rated as an 'E' element.
* Comaneci was the first gymnast to successfully perform an aerial walkover and an aerial cartwheel-two back handsprings flight series on the beam. * Comaneci was the first gymnast to successfully perform an aerial walkover and an aerial cartwheel-two back handsprings flight series on the beam.{{cn}}


==Pop culture references== ==Pop culture references==


* Her name was used as an alias for a young girl in a season 3 episode of the CW hit television show, '']''. * Comaneci's name was used as an alias for a young girl in a season 3 episode of the CW hit television show, '']''.


* When Joanne Charis states that the girls need to stay and practice their routines in the movie '']'', another girl states: "Who died and made you Nadia?", in an obvious reference to Comăneci. * When Joanne Charis states that the girls need to stay and practice their routines in the movie '']'', another girl states: "Who died and made you Nadia?", in an obvious reference to Comăneci.

Revision as of 23:02, 23 November 2007

Template:MedalTopPic |- ! colspan="3" style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;background-color:#cccccc;color:inherit;" | Olympic Games

|- ! colspan="3" style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;background-color:#eeeeee;color:inherit;" | Women's artistic gymnastics

|- | style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;color:inherit;" | Gold medal – first place|| style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;" | 1976 Montréal|| style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;" | All-around

|- | style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;color:inherit;" | Gold medal – first place|| style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;" | 1976 Montréal|| style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;" | Uneven bars

|- | style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;color:inherit;" | Gold medal – first place|| style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;" | 1976 Montréal|| style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;" | Balance beam

|- | style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;color:inherit;" | Gold medal – first place|| style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;" | 1980 Moscow|| style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;" | Balance beam

|- | style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;color:inherit;" | Gold medal – first place|| style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;" | 1980 Moscow|| style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;" | Floor exercise

|- | style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;color:inherit;" | Silver medal – second place|| style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;" | 1976 Montréal|| style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;" | Team competition

|- | style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;color:inherit;" | Silver medal – second place|| style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;" | 1980 Moscow|| style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;" | Team competition

|- | style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;color:inherit;" | Silver medal – second place|| style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;" | 1980 Moscow|| style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;" | All-around

|- | style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;color:inherit;" | Bronze medal – third place|| style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;" | 1976 Montréal|| style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;" | Floor exercise

|- ! colspan="3" style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;background-color:#cccccc;color:inherit;" | World Championships

|- | style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;color:inherit;" | Gold medal – first place|| style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;" | 1978 Strasbourg|| style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;" | Balance Beam

|- | style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;color:inherit;" | Gold medal – first place|| style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;" | 1979 Ft. Worth|| style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;" | Team

|- | style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;color:inherit;" | Silver medal – second place|| style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;" | 1978 Strasbourg|| style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;" | Team

|- | style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;color:inherit;" | Silver medal – second place|| style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;" | 1978 Strasbourg|| style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;" | Vault

|- ! colspan="3" style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;background-color:#cccccc;color:inherit;" | European Championships

|- | style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;color:inherit;" | Gold medal – first place|| style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;" | 1975 Skien|| style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;" | All around

|- | style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;color:inherit;" | Gold medal – first place|| style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;" | 1975 Skien|| style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;" | Uneven Bars

|- | style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;color:inherit;" | Gold medal – first place|| style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;" | 1975 Skien|| style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;" | Balance Beam

|- | style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;color:inherit;" | Gold medal – first place|| style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;" | 1975 Skien|| style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;" | Vault

|- | style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;color:inherit;" | Gold medal – first place|| style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;" | 1977 Prague|| style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;" | All around

|- | style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;color:inherit;" | Gold medal – first place|| style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;" | 1977 Prague|| style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;" | Uneven Bars

|- | style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;color:inherit;" | Gold medal – first place|| style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;" | 1979 Copenhagen|| style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;" | All around

|- | style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;color:inherit;" | Gold medal – first place|| style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;" | 1979 Copenhagen|| style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;" | Vault

|- | style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;color:inherit;" | Gold medal – first place|| style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;" | 1979 Copenhagen|| style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;" | Floor Exercise

|- | style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;color:inherit;" | Silver medal – second place|| style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;" | 1975 Skien|| style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;" | Floor Exercise

|- | style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;color:inherit;" | Bronze medal – third place|| style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;" | 1977 Prague|| style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;" | Vault

|- | style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;color:inherit;" | Bronze medal – third place|| style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;" | 1979 Copenhagen|| style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;" | Balance Beam |}

Nadia Elena Comaneci (originally Comăneci /ko.mə'neʧʲ/; born November 12, 1961) is a Romanian gymnast, winner of five Olympic gold medals, and the first gymnast to be awarded a perfect score of 10 in an Olympic gymnastic event. She is one of the best-known gymnasts in the world and, along with Olga Korbut, is credited with popularizing the sport around the world.

Early life

Comaneci was born in Oneşti, Romania, as the daughter of Gheorghe and Ştefania-Alexandrina. Her pregnant mother was watching a Russian film in which the heroine of the story's name was Nadya, the shortened version of the Russian name Nadyezhda (which means, literally, "Hope"). She decided that her daughter would be named Nadia, too. Comaneci also has a younger brother named Adrian.

Early gymnastics career

Comaneci began gymnastics at the age of 6. Some published sources state that Comaneci began taking gymnastics lessons with the coaches Duncan and Munteanu, but others, including Comaneci's autobiography Letters to a Young Gymnast, mention only that Béla Károlyi was her coach, and that she was chosen for his school after he spotted her and a friend turning cartwheels in a schoolyard.

Comaneci was training with the Károlyis by the time she was 7 years old, in 1969. She was one of the first students at the gymnastics school established in Onesti by Béla and his wife, Marta, who would later defect to the United States and become coaches of many prominent American gymnasts. Unlike many of the other students at the Károlyi school, Comaneci was able to commute from home for many years because she lived in the area.

Comaneci placed 13th in her first Romanian National Championships in 1969. A year later, in 1970, she began competing as a member of her hometown team and became the youngest gymnast ever to win the Romanian Nationals. In 1971, she participated in her first international competition, a dual junior meet between Romania and Yugoslavia, winning her first all-around title and contributing to the team gold. For the next few years, she competed as a junior in numerous national contests in Romania and additional dual meets with nearby countries such as Hungary, Italy and Poland. At the age of 11, in 1973, she won the all-around gold, as well as the vault and uneven bars titles, at the Junior Friendship Tournament (Druzhba), an important meet for junior gymnasts.

Comaneci's first major international success came at the age of 13, when she nearly swept the 1975 European Championships in Skien, Norway, winning the all-around and gold medals on every event but the floor exercise, in which she placed second. She continued to enjoy success in other meets in 1975, winning the all-around at the "Champions All" competition and placing first in the all-around, vault, beam, and bars at the Romanian National Championships. In the Pre-Olympic test event in Montreal, Comaneci won the all-around and the balance beam golds, as well as silvers in the vault, floor, and bars behind accomplished Soviet gymnast Nellie Kim, who would prove to be one of her greatest rivals over the next five years.

In March 1976, Comaneci competed in the inaugural edition of the American Cup at Madison Square Garden in New York. She received unprecedented scores of 10.0, which signified a perfect routine without any deductions, on vault in both the preliminary and final rounds of competition and won the all-around. Comaneci also received 10s in other meets in 1976, including the prestigious Chunichi Cup competition in Japan, where she posted perfect marks on the vault and uneven bars.

The international community took note of Comaneci: she was named the United Press International's "Female Athlete of the Year" for 1975.

Montréal Olympics

At the age of 14, Comaneci became one of the stars of the 1976 Olympic Games in Montréal. During the team portion of the competition, her routine on the uneven bars was scored at a 10.0. It was the first time in modern Olympic gymnastics history that the score had ever been awarded. The scoreboards were not even equipped to display scores of 10.0—so Nadia's perfect marks were reported on the boards as 1.00 instead. Over the course of the Olympics, Comaneci would earn six additional 10s, en route to capturing the all-around, beam and bars titles and a bronze medal on the floor exercise. The Romanian team also placed second in the team competition.

Comaneci was the first Romanian gymnast to win the all-around title at the Olympics. She also holds the record as the youngest Olympic gymnastics all-around champion ever; with the revised age-eligibility requirements in the sport (gymnasts must now turn 16 in the calendar year to compete in the Olympics; in 1976 gymnasts had to be 14 by the first day of the competition), this record will stand indefinitely.

Comaneci's achievements at the Olympics generated a significant amount of media attention. The theme song from the American soap opera The Young and the Restless became associated with her after the television program ABC's Wide World Of Sports used it as background music for montages of her routines. The song became the best seller of the year 1976, and the composer, Barry De Vorzon, renamed it to "Nadia's Theme" after her. However, Comaneci never actually performed to "Nadia's Theme." Her floor exercise music was a medley of the songs "Yes Sir, That's My Baby" and "Jump in the Line" arranged for piano.

She was the 1976 BBC Sports Personality of the Year in the overseas athletes category and the Associated Press's 1976 "Female Athlete of the Year". She also retained her title as the UPI Female Athlete of the Year. Back home in Romania, Comaneci's success led her to be named a "Hero of Socialist Labor", she was the youngest Romanian to receive such recognition during the reign of Nicolae Ceauşescu.

1977–1980

Comaneci successfully defended her European all-around title in 1977, but when questions about the scoring were raised, Ceauşescu ordered the Romanian gymnasts to return home. The team followed orders and controversially walked out of the competition during the event finals.

Following the 1977 Europeans, the Romanian Gymnastics Federation removed Comaneci from her longtime coaches, the Károlyis, and sent her to Bucharest to train at the 23 August sports complex. The change was not positive for Comaneci. Grappling with both the stress of her parents' divorce and the new training environment, she was extremely unhappy and her gymnastics and overall fitness suffered. An overweight and out of shape Comaneci showed up at the 1978 World Championships. A fall from the uneven bars resulted in a 4th place finish in the all-around behind Elena Mukhina, Nellie Kim, and Natalia Shaposhnikova, but Comaneci won the beam title.

After the 1978 Worlds, Comaneci was permitted to return to Deva and to the Károlyis. In 1979, a newly slim and motivated Comaneci won her third consecutive European all-around title, becoming the first gymnast, male or female, to achieve the feat. At the World Championships that December, Comaneci led the field after the compulsory competition but was hospitalized prior to the optional portion of the team competition for blood poisoning caused by a cut in her wrist from her metal grip buckle. Against doctors' orders, she left the hospital and competed on the beam, where she scored a 9.95. Her performance helped give the Romanians their first team gold medal. After her performance, Comaneci spent several days recovering in All Saints Hospital and underwent a minor surgical procedure for the infected hand, which had developed an abscess.

Comaneci participated in the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, placing second in the all-around to Yelena Davydova. She defended her Olympic title in the balance beam and tied with Kim for the gold medal in the floor exercise. The Romanian team finished second overall.

Comaneci retired from competition in 1981. Her official retirement ceremony took place in Bucharest in 1984 and was attended by the International Olympic Committee Chairman.

Post retirement

In 1981, Comaneci participated in a gymnastics exhibition tour in the United States. During the tour, her coaches, Béla and Marta Károlyi, along with the Romanian team choreographer Geza Pozar, defected. Upon her return to Romania, Comaneci's actions were strictly monitored. She was granted leave to attend the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles but was supervised for the entire trip. Aside from that journey, and a few select trips to Moscow and Cuba, Comaneci was forbidden to leave the country for any reason." Life..." she wrote in her autobiography, "took on a new bleakness."

Working in Romania, between 1984 and 1989, Comaneci was a member of the Romanian Gymnastics Federation and helped coach the Romanian junior gymnasts. In November of 1989, a few weeks before the Revolution, she defected with a group of other young Romanians. Her overland journey took her through Hungary, Austria, and finally, to the United States.

After settling in the United States, Comaneci spent most of her time touring and promoting lines of gymnastics apparel and aerobic equipment. She also dabbled in modeling, appearing in ads for wedding dresses and Jockey underwear.

In 1994, Comaneci became engaged to U.S. gymnast Bart Conner, whom she had met for the first time in 1976 at the American Cup. Together with Conner, she returned to Romania for the first time since her defection (and since the fall of Communism and of Ceausescu), and the couple were married in Bucharest on April 271996. The ceremony was broadcast live in Romania, and the reception was held in the former presidential palace.

On June 29, 2001, Comaneci became a naturalized citizen of the United States. She has also retained her Romanian passport, making her a dual citizen.

In December 2003, Comaneci's autobiography, Letters To A Young Gymnast, was published. The memoir answers questions that she has received in letters from fans. She has also been the subject of several unofficial biographies, television documentaries and a made-for-television film, Nadia, that was broadcast in the United States shortly before the 1984 Olympics.

Comaneci and Conner welcomed their first child, a baby boy named Dylan Paul Conner, on June 3, 2006 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Current activities

Comaneci is active in many charities and international organizations. In 1999, she became the first athlete to be invited to speak at the United Nations to launch the Year 2000 International Year of Volunteers. She is currently the Vice-Chair of the Board Of Directors of the International Special Olympics and Vice President of the Board of Directors of the Muscular Dystrophy Association. She has also personally funded the construction and operation of the Nadia Comaneci Children's Clinic, a clinic in Bucharest that provides low-cost and free medical and social support to Romanian children.

In 2003, the Romanian government appointed her as an Honorary Consul General of Romania to the United States to deal with bilateral relations between the two nations. She performs this function based out of her Norman, Oklahoma, office.

In the world of gymnastics, Comaneci is the Honorary President of the Romanian Gymnastics Federation, the Honorary President of Romanian Olympic Committee, Ambassador of Sports of Romania and a member of the International Gymnastics Federation Foundation. She and her husband own the Bart Conner Gymnastics Academy, the Perfect 10 Production Company and several sports equipment shops. They are also the editors of International Gymnast magazine. Additionally, Comaneci and Conner have provided television commentary for many gymnastics meets, most recently the 2005 World Championships in Melbourne.

On August 10, 2007, Nadia was a "mob" participant on the American version of the game show 1 vs 100, and was not eliminated until the last 20 members of the mob were left.

Awards

Comaneci received the Olympic Order, the highest award given by the International Olympic Committee, in 1984 and 2004. She is the only person to receive this honor twice, and was also the youngest recipient. She has also been inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame.

In 2005, Fox.com elected the Greatest Athletes in 150 years of Sports history, Nadia placed 4th in the final voting, ahead of Pelé and Muhammad Ali, and was the highest ranked female athlete.

Special skills

  • On the uneven bars, Comaneci performed her own release move, a kip to front salto. The skill is named after her in the women's Code of Points and, as of 2005, is rated as an 'E' element.
  • Comaneci was the first gymnast to successfully perform an aerial walkover and an aerial cartwheel-two back handsprings flight series on the beam.

Pop culture references

  • Comaneci's name was used as an alias for a young girl in a season 3 episode of the CW hit television show, Veronica Mars.
  • When Joanne Charis states that the girls need to stay and practice their routines in the movie Stick It, another girl states: "Who died and made you Nadia?", in an obvious reference to Comăneci.
  • In the ABC hit television show, Lost, the character Mikhail Bakunin (named after the Russian anarchist Mikhail Bakunin) has a cat named Nadia, named after Nadia Comaneci, whom he calls "the greatest athlete the world has ever known." He also reveals that they share a birthday.

References

  1. The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. (2007). "Gymnastics". infoplease.com. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help); Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  2. British Olympic Association (2007). Gymnastics history "British Olympic Association". British Olympic Association. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help); Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  3. "Olympic Champion Nadia Comaneci Young Athlete, August 1978
  4. Letters to a Young Gymnast. Comaneci, Nadia. 2004, Basic Books. ISBN 0465012760
  5. Letters to a Young Gymnast. Comaneci, Nadia. 2004, Basic Books. ISBN 0465012760
  6. ^ Whatever Happened to Nadia Comaneci? Barbara Fisher and Jennifer Isbister, 2003, Gymnastics Greats.com
  7. Letters to a Young Gymnast. Comaneci, Nadia. 2004, Basic Books. ISBN 0465012760
  8. "Olympic Champion Nadia Comaneci Young Athlete, August 1978
  9. Letters to a Young Gymnast. Comaneci, Nadia. 2004, Basic Books. ISBN 0465012760
  10. "Olympic Champion Nadia Comaneci Young Athlete, August 1978
  11. List of competitive results Gymn-Forum
  12. Letters to a Young Gymnast. Comaneci, Nadia. 2004, Basic Books. ISBN 0465012760
  13. Results of 1973 Druzhba meet, Gymn-Forum
  14. List of competitive results Gymn-Forum
  15. "Gymnast Posts Perfect Mark" Robin Herman, New York Times, March 28, 1976
  16. Scores for 1976 Chunichi Cup Gymn-Forum
  17. UPI Athletes of the Year
  18. "Still A Perfect 10" Olympic Review, Paul Ziert, 2005
  19. ^ Legends: Nadia Comaneci International Gymnast magazine
  20. "Within the International Federations" (PDF). Olympic Review, 1980
  21. "Nadia Comaneci: The Perfect 10" International Olympic Committee (IOC) website
  22. List of winners, BBC Sports Personality of the Year (Overseas) BBC press office
  23. Associated Press Athletes of the Year MSN Encarta
  24. UPI Athletes of the Year
  25. Letters to a Young Gymnast. Comaneci, Nadia. 2004, Basic Books. ISBN 0465012760
  26. Letters to a Young Gymnast. Comaneci, Nadia. 2004, Basic Books. ISBN 0465012760
  27. Letters to a Young Gymnast. Comaneci, Nadia. 2004, Basic Books. ISBN 0465012760
  28. "Nadia." The Epistle, (All Saints Episcopal Hospital), January 1980
  29. Letters to a Young Gymnast. Comaneci, Nadia. 2004, Basic Books. ISBN 0465012760
  30. Little Girls in Pretty Boxes. Ryan, Joan. 1995, Doubleday. ISBN 0385477902
  31. "Still A Perfect 10" Olympic Review, Paul Ziert, 2005
  32. "Miss Comaneci, 19, Makes Fresh Start". Ira Berkow, New York Times, March 6, 1981
  33. Little Girls in Pretty Boxes. Ryan, Joan. 1995, Doubleday. ISBN 0385477902
  34. "Still A Perfect 10" Olympic Review, Paul Ziert, 2005
  35. Letters to a Young Gymnast. Comaneci, Nadia. 2004, Basic Books. ISBN 0465012760
  36. Letters to a Young Gymnast. Comaneci, Nadia. 2004, Basic Books. ISBN 0465012760
  37. "Nadia Tumbles over Wedding" Cincinnati Post, April 6, 1996
  38. Nadia at the IMDB
  39. "Nadia Comaneci, Bart Conner Welcome Baby Boy" Associated Press, June 6, 2006
  40. "Former Gymnasts Nadia Comaneci and Bart Conner Baptized Their First Child, Dylan Paul" Catalina Iancu, Jurnalul National, August 28 2006
  41. "MDA's Perfect 10s" Muscular Dystrophy Association
  42. "Still A Perfect 10" Olympic Review, Paul Ziert, 2005
  43. Diplomatic List, Office of the Chief of Protocol, U.S. Department of State. Summer 2006. Accessed January 28, 2007.
  44. "Naida Comaneci". International Gymnastics Hall of Fame. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)

External links

Olympic Champions in Artistic Gymnastics – Women's All-Around
Summary
World Champions in Artistic Gymnastics – Women's Team Competition
2023:  United States (USA), Simone Biles, Skye Blakely, Shilese Jones, Joscelyn Roberson, Leanne Wong, Kayla DiCello
Preceded byIrena Szewińska United Press International
Athlete of the Year
1975, 1976 		Succeeded byRosemarie Ackermann
Preceded byBillie Jean King Flo Hyman Memorial Award
1998 		Succeeded byBonnie Blair

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