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{{Infobox gymnast {{Infobox gymnast
|name= Nadia Comăneci |name= Nadia Comăneci
|image= 25th Laureus World Sports Awards - Comaneci - 240421 142851-2.jpg
|image= Nadia Comăneci Montreal1976c.jpg
|caption= Comăneci at the ] |caption= Comăneci in 2024
|fullname= Nadia Elena Comăneci |fullname= Nadia Elena Comăneci
|nickname= Nana |nickname= Nana
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|residence = ], U.S.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://oklahoman.com/article/3867856/nadia-comaneci-feels-at-home-in-oklahoma |title=Nadia Comaneci feels at home in Oklahoma |access-date=March 15, 2014 |last=Carlson |first=Jenni |date=July 31, 2013 |work=The Oklahoman}}</ref> |residence = ], U.S.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://oklahoman.com/article/3867856/nadia-comaneci-feels-at-home-in-oklahoma |title=Nadia Comaneci feels at home in Oklahoma |access-date=March 15, 2014 |last=Carlson |first=Jenni |date=July 31, 2013 |work=The Oklahoman}}</ref>
|spouse= {{marriage|]|1996}} |spouse= {{marriage|]|1996}}
|height= {{height|ft=5|in=3.5}}<ref name=sr>{{cite Sports-Reference |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/co/nadia-comaneci-1.html |title=Nadia Comăneci |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200417042218/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/co/nadia-comaneci-1.html |archive-date=2020-04-17}}</ref> |height= {{height|ft=5|in=3.5}}<ref name=sr>{{cite Sports-Reference |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/co/nadia-comaneci-1.html |title=Nadia Comăneci |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161203201255/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/co/nadia-comaneci-1.html |archive-date=December 3, 2016}}</ref>
|discipline= WAG |discipline= WAG
|level= Senior Elite |level= Senior Elite
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|assistcoach= |assistcoach=
|formercoach= ]<br />] |formercoach= ]<br />]
|choreographer= Geza Pozsar |choreographer= Géza Pozsár
|music= |music=
|eponymousskills= ] (uneven bars) |eponymousskills= ] (uneven bars)
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|show-medals= no |show-medals= no
|medaltemplates = |medaltemplates =
{{MedalCompetition|]}}
{{MedalCountry | {{Flagcountry|ROU|1965}} }} {{MedalCountry | {{Flagcountry|ROU|1965}} }}
{{MedalSport | Women's ]}}
{{MedalCount
| ] | 5|3|1
| ] | 2|2|0
| ] | 2|1|0
| ] | 9|2|1
| ] | 5|0|0
| total=yes
}}
{{MedalCompetition|]}} {{MedalCompetition|]}}
]
{{MedalGold|]|]}} {{MedalGold|]|]}}
{{MedalGold|]|]}} {{MedalGold|]|]}}
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{{MedalSilver|]|Team}} {{MedalSilver|]|Team}}
{{MedalSilver|]|Vault}} {{MedalSilver|]|Vault}}
{{MedalCompetition|]}}
{{MedalGold|]|Vault}}
{{MedalGold|]|Floor Exercise}}
{{MedalSilver|]| Balance Beam}}
{{MedalCompetition|]}} {{MedalCompetition|]}}
{{MedalGold|]|All-Around}} {{MedalGold|]|All-Around}}
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{{MedalSilver|]|Vault}} {{MedalSilver|]|Vault}}
{{MedalBronze|]|Balance Beam}} {{MedalBronze|]|Balance Beam}}
{{MedalCompetition|]}}
{{MedalGold|]|Vault}}
{{MedalGold|]|Floor Exercise}}
{{MedalSilver|]| Balance Beam}}
{{MedalCompetition|]}} {{MedalCompetition|]}}
{{MedalGold|]|Team}} {{MedalGold|]|Team}}
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}} }}


'''Nadia Elena Comăneci Conner'''{{efn|{{IPAc-en|UK|ˌ|k|ɒ|m|ə|ˈ|n|ɛ|tʃ|(|i|)}} {{respell|KOM|ə|NETCH(|ee)}}, {{IPAc-en|US|ˈ|k|oʊ|m|ə|n|iː|tʃ|,_|ˌ|k|oʊ|m|ə|ˈ|n|iː|tʃ}} {{respell|KOH|mə|neech|,_-|NEECH}},<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/comaneci |title=Comaneci |work=] |publisher=] |access-date=July 27, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{dead link|date=September 2022|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} (US) and {{Cite dictionary |url=http://www.lexico.com/definition/Comaneci,+Nadia |title=Comaneci, Nadia |dictionary=] UK English Dictionary |publisher=] }}{{Dead link|date=October 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> {{IPAc-ro|lang|audio=Ro-Nadia Comăneci.ogg|'|n|a|d|i|.|a|_|c|o|m|ă|'|n|e|ci}}.}} (born November 12, 1961) is a ] retired ] and a five-time Olympic gold medalist, all in individual events. In 1976, at the age of 14, Comăneci was the first gymnast to be awarded a ] at the Olympic Games.<ref>.</ref> At the same Games (] in ]) she received six more perfect 10s for events en route to winning three ]. At the ] in ], Comăneci won two more gold medals and achieved two more perfect 10s. During her career Comăneci won nine Olympic medals and four ] medals. '''Nadia Elena Comăneci Conner'''{{efn|{{IPAc-en|UK|ˌ|k|ɒ|m|ə|ˈ|n|ɛ|tʃ|(|i|)}} {{respell|KOM|ə|NETCH(|ee)}}, {{IPAc-en|US|ˈ|k|oʊ|m|ə|n|iː|tʃ|,_|ˌ|k|oʊ|m|ə|ˈ|n|iː|tʃ}} {{respell|KOH|mə|neech|,_-|NEECH}},<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/comaneci |title=Comaneci |work=] |publisher=] |access-date=July 27, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{dead link|date=September 2022|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} (US) and {{Cite dictionary |url=http://www.lexico.com/definition/Comaneci,+Nadia |title=Comaneci, Nadia |dictionary=] UK English Dictionary |publisher=]}}{{Dead link|date=October 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> {{IPAc-ro|lang|audio=Ro-Nadia Comăneci.ogg|'|n|a|d|i|.|a|_|c|o|m|ă|'|n|e|ci}}.}} ({{née|'''Comăneci'''}}; born November 12, 1961) is a ] retired ]. She is a five-time Olympic gold medalist, all in individual events. In 1976, at the age of 14, Comăneci was the first gymnast to be awarded a ] at the Olympic Games.<ref>.</ref> At the same Games (] in ]), she received six more perfect 10s for events en route to winning three gold medals. At the ] in ], she won two more gold medals and achieved two more perfect 10s. During her career, she won nine Olympic medals and four ] medals.


One of the world's best-known gymnasts, Comăneci, along with ] of the Soviet Union, displayed artistry and grace,<ref name="Artisty">{{cite news |title=Lost art: Powerhouse physiques winning out over spellbinding grace |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/13184916.lost-art-powerhouse-physiques-winning-spellbinding-grace/ |access-date=8 January 2022 |work=]|quote=Unlike Nadia Comaneci and Olga Korbut, modern gymnasts such as Simone Biles are rewarded for their athleticism more than their artistry... the spellbinding artistry that not only gave the sport its name, but brought it global fame.}}</ref> which brought unprecedented global popularity to the sport in the mid-1970s.<ref name="Artisty"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Head over heels|url=https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2001/jan/14/features.magazine47 |access-date=8 January 2022 |work=The Guardian|quote=In the early to mid-70s, with ambassadors like Korbut and Comaneci, gymnastics was at its popular peak.}}</ref><ref name="infoplease">{{Cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/society/A0822234.html |title=Gymnastics |access-date=September 6, 2007 |publisher=infoplease.com |year=2007 |encyclopedia=The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed.}}</ref> In 2000, Comăneci was named one of the Athletes of the 20th Century by the ].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/SPORT/04/29/nadiacomaneci/index.html |work=CNN |title=Nadia Comăneci |date=July 7, 2008}}</ref> She has lived in the United States since 1989, when she defected from ] before its ]. She later worked with and married American Olympic gold-medal gymnast ], who set up his own school. One of the world's best-known gymnasts, Comăneci was praised for her artistry and grace,<ref name="Artisty">{{cite news |title=Lost art: Powerhouse physiques winning out over spellbinding grace |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/13184916.lost-art-powerhouse-physiques-winning-spellbinding-grace/ |access-date=January 8, 2022 |work=] |quote=Unlike Nadia Comaneci and Olga Korbut, modern gymnasts such as Simone Biles are rewarded for their athleticism more than their artistry... the spellbinding artistry that not only gave the sport its name, but brought it global fame.}}</ref> which brought unprecedented global popularity to the sport in the mid-1970s.<ref name="Artisty"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Head over heels |url=https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2001/jan/14/features.magazine47 |access-date=January 8, 2022 |work=The Guardian |quote=In the early to mid-70s, with ambassadors like Korbut and Comaneci, gymnastics was at its popular peak.}}</ref><ref name="infoplease">{{Cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/society/A0822234.html |title=Gymnastics |access-date=September 6, 2007 |publisher=infoplease.com |year=2007 |encyclopedia=The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed.}}</ref> Called "the most iconic gymnast of the 20th century" by '']'',<ref name="El Pais"/> Comăneci was named one of the Athletes of the 20th century by the ].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/SPORT/04/29/nadiacomaneci/index.html |work=CNN |title=Nadia Comăneci |date=July 7, 2008}}</ref>
Comăneci has lived in the United States since 1989, when she defected from ], before its ]. She later worked with and married American Olympic gold-medal gymnast ] a wedding which was held in Bucharest after the fall of the Communist regime and televised live in Romania.


== Early life == == Early life ==
] (''Gheorghe Gheorghiu-Dej'' between 1965 and 1989), the town where Comăneci was born]] ] (''Gheorghe Gheorghiu-Dej'' between 1965 and 1989), the town where Comăneci was born]]
Nadia Elena Comăneci was born on November 12, 1961, in ], a small town in the ], in ], ], in the historical region of ].<ref name=smiled>{{cite web |url=https://serpentstail.com/the-little-communist-who-never-smiled.html |title=The Little Communist Who Never Smiled |access-date=August 27, 2016 |last=Lafon |first=Lola |publisher=]/] |archive-date=August 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180822015041/https://serpentstail.com/the-little-communist-who-never-smiled.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=remind>{{cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more-sports/nadia-comaneci-remind-romania-article-1.2740934 |title=Gymnastics legend Nadia Comaneci wants to remind everyone she's from Romania |access-date=September 4, 2016 |date=August 6, 2016 |newspaper=]}}</ref> She was born to Gheorghe (1936–2012) and Ștefania Comăneci, and has a younger brother.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.gymn-forum.net/Articles/Misc-Comaneci_YA.html |title=Olympic Champion Nadia Comaneci |website=www.gymn-forum.net}}</ref> Her parents separated in the 1970s and her father later moved to ], the capital.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.evz.ro/tatal-nadiei-comaneci-a-murit-961238.html |title=Nadia Comăneci despre moartea tatălui său: "Este un moment deosebit de greu"}}</ref> She and her brother, Adrian, were raised in the ].<ref>Comăneci, p. 5.</ref> In a 2011 interview Nadia's mother said that she enrolled her daughter into gymnastics classes because as a child she was so full of energy and active that she was difficult to manage.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.libertatea.ro/sport/stefania-comaneci-mama-nadiei-sunt-mandra-de-ea-665179 |title=Ştefania Comăneci, mama Nadiei: "Sunt mândră de ea!" &#124; Alte sporturi, Sport |date=November 11, 2011 |website=Libertatea}}</ref> After years of top-level athletic competition Comăneci graduated from ] with a degree in ], which qualified her to coach gymnastics.<ref>Comăneci, pp. 94 and 121.</ref> Nadia Elena Comăneci was born on November 12, 1961, in ], a small town in the ], in ], ], in the historical region of ].<ref name=smiled>{{cite web |url=https://serpentstail.com/the-little-communist-who-never-smiled.html |title=The Little Communist Who Never Smiled |access-date=August 27, 2016 |last=Lafon |first=Lola |publisher=]/] |archive-date=August 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180822015041/https://serpentstail.com/the-little-communist-who-never-smiled.html |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=remind>{{cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more-sports/nadia-comaneci-remind-romania-article-1.2740934 |title=Gymnastics legend Nadia Comaneci wants to remind everyone she's from Romania |access-date=September 4, 2016 |date=August 6, 2016 |newspaper=]}}</ref> She was born to Gheorghe (1936–2012) and Ștefania Comăneci, and has a younger brother.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.gymn-forum.net/Articles/Misc-Comaneci_YA.html |title=Olympic Champion Nadia Comaneci |website=www.gymn-forum.net}}</ref> Her parents separated in the 1970s and her father later moved to ], the capital.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.evz.ro/tatal-nadiei-comaneci-a-murit-961238.html |title=Nadia Comăneci despre moartea tatălui său: "Este un moment deosebit de greu" |date=January 12, 2012}}</ref> She and her brother, Adrian, were raised in the ].<ref>Comăneci, p. 5.</ref> In a 2011 interview, her mother said that she enrolled Comăneci into gymnastics classes because, as a child, she was so full of energy and active that she was difficult to manage.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.libertatea.ro/sport/stefania-comaneci-mama-nadiei-sunt-mandra-de-ea-665179 |title=Ştefania Comăneci, mama Nadiei: "Sunt mândră de ea!" &#124; Alte sporturi, Sport |date=November 11, 2011 |website=Libertatea}}</ref> After years of top-level athletic competition, Comăneci graduated from ] with a degree in ], which qualified her to coach gymnastics.<ref>Comăneci, pp. 94 and 121.</ref>


== Early gymnastics career == == Gymnastics career ==
=== Early gymnastics career ===
] ]


Comăneci began gymnastics in kindergarten with a local team called ''Flacăra'' ("The Flame"), with coaches Duncan and Munteanu.<ref name=Fischer>{{cite web |url=http://www.gymn.ca/gymnasticgreats/wag/comaneci.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528004353/http://www.gymn.ca/gymnasticgreats/wag/comaneci.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 28, 2010 |title=Nadia Comaneci, a living legend.... |author=Fisher, Barbara; Isbister, Jennifer |work=Gymnastics Greats |publisher=Gymn.ca |date=November 15, 2003 |access-date=October 20, 2014}}</ref><ref>Comăneci</ref> At age 6, she was chosen to attend ]'s experimental gymnastics school after Károlyi spotted her and a friend turning ] in a schoolyard.<ref name="Comaneci2011p17">Comăneci, pp. 17–19.</ref><ref name=si>Deford, Frank. . ''Sports Illustrated. '' August 2, 1976.</ref> Károlyi was looking for gymnasts he could train from a young age. When recess ended, the girls quickly went inside and Károlyi went around the classrooms trying to find them; he eventually spotted Comăneci. (The other girl, Viorica Dumitru, developed in a different direction and became one of Romania's top ].){{citation needed|date=July 2021}} Nadia began gymnastics in kindergarten with a local team called ''Flacără'' ("The Flame"), with coaches Duncan and Munteanu.<ref name=Fischer>{{cite web |url=http://www.gymn.ca/gymnasticgreats/wag/comaneci.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528004353/http://www.gymn.ca/gymnasticgreats/wag/comaneci.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 28, 2010 |title=Nadia Comaneci, a living legend.... |author=Fisher, Barbara; Isbister, Jennifer |work=Gymnastics Greats |publisher=Gymn.ca |date=November 15, 2003 |access-date=October 20, 2014}}</ref><ref>Comăneci</ref> At age 6, she was chosen to attend ]'s experimental gymnastics school, after Károlyi spotted her and a friend turning ] in a schoolyard.<ref name="Comaneci2011p17">Comăneci, pp. 17–19.</ref><ref name=si>Deford, Frank. . ''Sports Illustrated''. August 2, 1976.</ref> Károlyi was looking for gymnasts he could train from a young age. When recess ended, the girls quickly went inside and Károlyi went around the classrooms trying to find them; he eventually spotted Comăneci. (The other girl, Viorica Dumitru, developed in a different direction and became one of Romania's top ].){{citation needed|date=July 2021}}


By 1968, when she was seven, Comăneci started training with ]. She was one of the first students at the gymnastics school established in Onești by Béla and his wife, ]. As a resident of the town, Comăneci was able to live at home for many years; most of the other students boarded at the school.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}} By 1968, when she was seven, Comăneci started training with Károlyi. She was one of the first students at the gymnastics school established in Onești by Károlyi and his wife, ]. As a resident of the town, Comăneci was able to live at home for many years; most of the other students boarded at the school.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}}


In 1970 Comăneci began competing as a member of her home town team and, at age nine, 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 ], winning her first ] title and contributing to the team ]. For the next few years she competed as a junior in numerous national contests in Romania and dual meets with countries such as ], ] and ].<ref name="List of competitive results"> Gymn-Forum</ref> At the age of 11, in 1973, she won the all-around gold, as well as the ] and ] titles, at the Junior Friendship Tournament (Druzhba), an important international meet for junior gymnasts.<ref name="List of competitive results"/><ref>Comăneci, pp. 27–28.</ref> In 1970, Comăneci began competing as a member of her home town team and, at age nine, 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 ], winning her first ] title and contributing to the team ]. For the next few years, she competed as a junior in numerous national contests in Romania and dual meets with countries such as ], ] and ].<ref name="List of competitive results"> Gymn-Forum</ref> At the age of 11, in 1973, she won the all-around gold, as well as the ] and ] titles, at the Junior Friendship Tournament (Druzhba), an important international meet for junior gymnasts.<ref name="List of competitive results"/><ref>Comăneci, pp. 27–28.</ref>


Comăneci's first major international success came at the age of 13, when she nearly swept the board at the 1975 ] in ], ]. She won the all-around and gold medals in every event but the ], in which she was placed second. She continued to enjoy success that year, winning the all-around at the ‘Champions All’ competition and coming first in the all-around, vault, ] and bars at the ]. In the pre-Olympic test event in ] Comăneci won the all-around and the balance beam golds as well as ] in the vault, floor and bars. Accomplished ] ] won the golds in those events and was one of Comăneci's greatest rivals for the next five years.<ref name="List of competitive results"/> Comăneci's first major international success came at the age of 13, when she nearly swept the board at the 1975 ] in ], ]. She won the all-around and gold medals in every event but the ], in which she was placed second. She continued to enjoy success that year, winning the all-around at the 'Champions All' competition and coming first in the all-around, vault, ] and bars at the ]. In the pre-Olympic test event in ] Comăneci won the all-around and the balance beam golds as well as ] in the vault, floor and bars. Accomplished ] ] won the golds in those events and was one of Comăneci's greatest rivals for the next five years.<ref name="List of competitive results"/>
] gymnastics school champions including Comăneci]]

==1976==
===American Cup===
]


===1976===
====American Cup====
In March 1976, Comăneci competed in the inaugural edition of the ] at ] in Manhattan. She received rare scores of 10, which signified a perfect routine without any deductions, for her vault in the preliminary stage and for her floor exercise routine in the final of the all-around competition, which she won.<ref> Robin Herman, ''],'' March 28, 1976.</ref> During this competition, Comăneci met American gymnast ] for the first time. While he remembered this meeting, Comăneci noted in her memoirs that she had to be reminded of it later in life. She was 14 and Conner was celebrating his 18th birthday.<ref>Comăneci, p. 53.</ref> They both won a silver cup and were photographed together. A few months later, they participated in the ] that Comăneci dominated, while Conner was a marginal figure. Conner later said, "Nobody knew me, and certainly didn't pay attention to me."<ref name=first>{{cite web |url=http://www.wherearetheynow.buzz/adorable-way-olympic-couple-first-met |title=The Adorable Way This Olympic Couple First Met |access-date=August 19, 2016 |date=2016 |publisher=]}}</ref> In March 1976, Comăneci competed in the inaugural edition of the ] at ] in Manhattan. She received rare scores of 10, which signified a perfect routine without any deductions, for her vault in the preliminary stage and for her floor exercise routine in the final of the all-around competition, which she won.<ref> Robin Herman, ''],'' March 28, 1976.</ref> During this competition, Comăneci met American gymnast ] for the first time. While he remembered this meeting, Comăneci noted in her memoirs that she had to be reminded of it later in life. She was 14 and Conner was celebrating his 18th birthday.<ref>Comăneci, p. 53.</ref> They both won a silver cup and were photographed together. A few months later, they participated in the ] that Comăneci dominated, while Conner was a marginal figure. Conner later said, "Nobody knew me, and certainly didn't pay attention to me."<ref name=first>{{cite web |url=http://www.wherearetheynow.buzz/adorable-way-olympic-couple-first-met |title=The Adorable Way This Olympic Couple First Met |access-date=August 19, 2016 |date=2016 |publisher=]}}</ref>


===Summer Olympics in Montreal=== ====1976 Summer Olympics====
] ]
{{blockquote|At Montreal received four of her seven 10s on the uneven bars. The apparatus demands such a spectacular burst of energy in such a short time—only 23 seconds—that it attracts the most fanfare. But it is on the beam that her work seems more representative of her considerable skill. She scored three of her seven 10s on the beam. Her hands speak there as much as her body. Her pace magnifies her balance. Her command and distance hush the crowd. |source='']'', 1976<ref name=si/>}} {{blockquote|At Montreal received four of her seven 10s on the uneven bars. The apparatus demands such a spectacular burst of energy in such a short time—only 23 seconds—that it attracts the most fanfare. But it is on the beam that her work seems more representative of her considerable skill. She scored three of her seven 10s on the beam. Her hands speak there as much as her body. Her pace magnifies her balance. Her command and distance hush the crowd. |source='']'', 1976<ref name=si/>}}


] ]
On July 18, 1976, Comăneci made history at the Montreal Olympics. During the team compulsory portion of the competition, she was awarded the first ] for her routine on the ].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBrwQ7-I6t8 |title=Nadia Comaneci's perfect 10 &#124; Epic Olympic Moments |date=December 10, 2015 |via=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.usghof.org/files/bio/n_comaneci/n_comaneci.html |title=Biography: COMANECI, Nadia |publisher=U.S. Gymnastics Hall of Fame |access-date=July 17, 2011}}</ref><ref name=Cousineau>{{cite book |last1=Cousineau |first1=Phil |year=2003 |title=The Olympic Odyssey: Rekindling the True Spirit of the Great Games |pages= |publisher=Quest Books |isbn=0835608336 |url=https://archive.org/details/olympicodysseyre0000cous/page/160}}</ref> ], the official Olympics scoreboard manufacturer, had been led to believe that competitors could not receive a perfect ten, and had not programmed the scoreboard to display this score.<ref name=guardian20111214>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/london-2012-olympics-blog/2011/dec/14/50-olympic-moments-nadia-comaneci |title=50 stunning Olympic moments No5: Nadia Comaneci scores a perfect 10 |work=The Guardian |date=December 14, 2011 |access-date=July 31, 2012}}</ref> Comăneci's perfect 10 thus appeared as "1.00," the only means by which the judges could indicate that she had received a 10.<ref name="Still A Perfect 10">{{cite web |first=Paul |last=Ziert |title=Still A Perfect 10 |url=http://www.olympic.org/upload/news/olympic_review/review_2005628172259_UK.pdf |year=2005 |publisher=Olympic Review |access-date=June 13, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080627102550/http://www.olympic.org/upload/news/olympic_review/review_2005628172259_UK.pdf |archive-date=June 27, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=Cousineau /> On July 18, 1976, Comăneci made history at the Montreal Olympics. During the team compulsory portion of the competition, she was awarded the first ] for her routine on the ].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBrwQ7-I6t8 |title=Nadia Comaneci's perfect 10 &#124; Epic Olympic Moments |date=December 10, 2015 |via=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.usghof.org/files/bio/n_comaneci/n_comaneci.html |title=Biography: COMANECI, Nadia |publisher=U.S. Gymnastics Hall of Fame |access-date=July 17, 2011}}</ref><ref name=Cousineau>{{cite book |last1=Cousineau |first1=Phil |year=2003 |title=The Olympic Odyssey: Rekindling the True Spirit of the Great Games |pages= |publisher=Quest Books |isbn=0835608336 |url=https://archive.org/details/olympicodysseyre0000cous/page/160}}</ref> ], the official Olympics scoreboard manufacturer, had been led to believe that competitors could not receive a perfect ten, and had not programmed the scoreboard to display this score.<ref name=guardian20111214>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/london-2012-olympics-blog/2011/dec/14/50-olympic-moments-nadia-comaneci |title=50 stunning Olympic moments No5: Nadia Comaneci scores a perfect 10 |work=The Guardian |date=December 14, 2011 |access-date=July 31, 2012}}</ref> Comăneci's perfect 10 thus appeared as "1.00," the only means by which the judges could indicate that she had received a 10.<ref name=Cousineau /><ref name="Still A Perfect 10">{{cite web |first=Paul |last=Ziert |title=Still A Perfect 10 |url=http://www.olympic.org/upload/news/olympic_review/review_2005628172259_UK.pdf |year=2005 |publisher=Olympic Review |access-date=June 13, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080627102550/http://www.olympic.org/upload/news/olympic_review/review_2005628172259_UK.pdf |archive-date=June 27, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>


During the remainder of the Montreal Games, Comăneci earned six additional "10s". She won gold medals for ], ] and ]. She also won a bronze for the ] and a silver as part of the ].<ref name="InterGym"> ''International Gymnast'' magazine</ref> ] gymnast ] was ]; Kim became the second gymnast to receive a perfect ten, in her case for her performance on the vault.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.gymn.ca/gymnasticgreats/wag/kim_nelli.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110227005926/http://www.gymn.ca/gymnasticgreats/wag/kim_nelli.htm |url-status=dead |title=Nellie Kim (URS) |archive-date=February 27, 2011}}</ref> Comăneci took over the media spotlight from gymnast ], who had been the darling of the 1972 Munich Games.<ref>{{cite news |title=Nadia Comaneci Takes Gymnast Title on 4th, 5th Perfect Scores |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1976/07/22/archives/nadia-comaneci-takes-gymnast-title-on-4th-5th-perfect-scores-shes.html |access-date=8 January 2022 |work=The New York Times|date=July 22, 1976 }}</ref> During the remainder of the Montreal Games, Comăneci earned six additional "10s". She won gold medals for ], ] and ]. She also won a bronze for the ] and a silver as part of the ].<ref name="InterGym"> ''International Gymnast'' magazine</ref> ] gymnast ] was ]; Kim became the second gymnast to receive a perfect ten, in her case for her performance on the vault.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.gymn.ca/gymnasticgreats/wag/kim_nelli.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110227005926/http://www.gymn.ca/gymnasticgreats/wag/kim_nelli.htm |url-status=dead |title=Nellie Kim (URS) |archive-date=February 27, 2011}}</ref> Comăneci took over the media spotlight from gymnast ], who had been the darling of the 1972 Munich Games.<ref>{{cite news |title=Nadia Comaneci Takes Gymnast Title on 4th, 5th Perfect Scores |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1976/07/22/archives/nadia-comaneci-takes-gymnast-title-on-4th-5th-perfect-scores-shes.html |access-date=January 8, 2022 |work=The New York Times |date=July 22, 1976}}</ref>


Comăneci was the first Romanian gymnast to win the Olympic all-around title. She also holds the record as the youngest ever Olympic gymnastics all-around champion at age 14. The sport has since raised its age-eligibility requirements so that gymnasts must be at least 16 in the same calendar year of the Olympics in order to compete. When Comăneci competed in 1976, gymnasts had only to be 14 by the first day of the competition.<ref>{{cite web |title=Within the International Federations |url=http://www.la84foundation.org/OlympicInformationCenter/OlympicReview/1980/ore155/ORE155p.pdf |year=1980 |publisher=Olympic Review |access-date=June 13, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100808171711/http://www.la84foundation.org/OlympicInformationCenter/OlympicReview/1980/ore155/ORE155p.pdf |archive-date=August 8, 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Unless the age of eligibility is lowered, Comăneci's record cannot be broken. Comăneci was the first Romanian gymnast to win the Olympic all-around title. She also holds the record as the youngest ever Olympic gymnastics all-around champion at age 14. The sport has since raised its age-eligibility requirements so that gymnasts must be at least 16 in the same calendar year of the Olympics in order to compete. When Comăneci competed in 1976, gymnasts had only to be 14 by the first day of the competition.<ref>{{cite web |title=Within the International Federations |url=http://www.la84foundation.org/OlympicInformationCenter/OlympicReview/1980/ore155/ORE155p.pdf |year=1980 |publisher=Olympic Review |access-date=June 13, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100808171711/http://www.la84foundation.org/OlympicInformationCenter/OlympicReview/1980/ore155/ORE155p.pdf |archive-date=August 8, 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Unless the age of eligibility is lowered, Comăneci's record cannot be broken.


She was ranked as the ] for 1976<ref name="Dodd">{{cite web |url=http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/olympics/article.html?in_article_id=244046 |title=Top Five: Teenage Sensations |first=Marc |last=Dodd |work=] |date=August 1, 2008 |access-date=January 11, 2009 |archive-date=September 20, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120920003808/http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/extra/244046-top-five-teenage-sensations |url-status=dead }}</ref> and the ]'s 1976 "]".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://encarta.msn.com/media_701500051_761551983_-1_1/Associated_Press_Athletes_of_the_Year.html |title=Associated Press Athletes of the Year |publisher=MSN.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090407220626/http://encarta.msn.com/media_701500051_761551983_-1_1/Associated_Press_Athletes_of_the_Year.html |archive-date=April 7, 2009}}</ref> Back home in Romania, Comăneci was awarded the ] Gold Medal for her success,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://lege5.ro/Gratuit/he2timjx/decretul-nr-250-1976-privind-conferirea-de-distinctii-ale-republicii-socialiste-romania-unor-sportivi-antrenori-si-activisti-din-domeniul-educatiei-fizice-si-sportului |title=Decretul nr. 250/1976 privind conferirea de distinctii ale Republicii Socialiste Romania unor sportivi, antrenori si activisti din domeniul educatiei fizice si sportului |language=ro |access-date=April 6, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411103930/https://lege5.ro/Gratuit/he2timjx/decretul-nr-250-1976-privind-conferirea-de-distinctii-ale-republicii-socialiste-romania-unor-sportivi-antrenori-si-activisti-din-domeniul-educatiei-fizice-si-sportului |archive-date=April 11, 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and she was named a ]. She was the youngest Romanian to receive such recognition during the administration of ].<ref name=Fischer/> She was ranked as the ] for 1976<ref name="Dodd">{{cite web |url=http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/olympics/article.html?in_article_id=244046 |title=Top Five: Teenage Sensations |first=Marc |last=Dodd |work=] |date=August 1, 2008 |access-date=January 11, 2009 |archive-date=September 20, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120920003808/http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/extra/244046-top-five-teenage-sensations |url-status=dead}}</ref> and the ]' 1976 "]".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://encarta.msn.com/media_701500051_761551983_-1_1/Associated_Press_Athletes_of_the_Year.html |title=Associated Press Athletes of the Year |publisher=MSN.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090407220626/http://encarta.msn.com/media_701500051_761551983_-1_1/Associated_Press_Athletes_of_the_Year.html |archive-date=April 7, 2009}}</ref> Back home in Romania, Comăneci was awarded the ] Gold Medal for her success,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://lege5.ro/Gratuit/he2timjx/decretul-nr-250-1976-privind-conferirea-de-distinctii-ale-republicii-socialiste-romania-unor-sportivi-antrenori-si-activisti-din-domeniul-educatiei-fizice-si-sportului |title=Decretul nr. 250/1976 privind conferirea de distinctii ale Republicii Socialiste Romania unor sportivi, antrenori si activisti din domeniul educatiei fizice si sportului |language=ro |access-date=April 6, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411103930/https://lege5.ro/Gratuit/he2timjx/decretul-nr-250-1976-privind-conferirea-de-distinctii-ale-republicii-socialiste-romania-unor-sportivi-antrenori-si-activisti-din-domeniul-educatiei-fizice-si-sportului |archive-date=April 11, 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and she was named a ]. She was the youngest Romanian to receive such recognition during the administration of ].<ref name=Fischer/>


==="Nadia's Theme"=== ====="Nadia's Theme"=====
"]" refers to an instrumental piece that became linked to Comăneci shortly after the 1976 Olympics. It was part of the musical score of the 1971 film '']'' and originally titled "Cotton's Dream". It was also used as the title theme music for the American soap opera '']''. "]" refers to an instrumental piece that became linked to Comăneci shortly after the 1976 Olympics. It was part of the musical score of the 1971 film '']'' and originally titled "Cotton's Dream". It was also used as the title theme music for the American soap opera '']''.


] used it in association with slow-motion montages of Comăneci on the television program '']''. The song became a top-10 single in the fall of 1976, and composers ] and ] renamed it as "Nadia's Theme" in Comăneci's honor.<ref> International Olympic Committee (IOC) website</ref> Comăneci never performed to "Nadia's Theme", however. Her floor exercise music was a medley of the songs "]" and "]," arranged for piano.<ref name=si /> ] used it in association with slow-motion montages of Comăneci on the television program '']''. The song became a top-10 single in the fall of 1976, and composers ] and ] renamed it as "Nadia's Theme" in Comăneci's honor.<ref> International Olympic Committee (IOC) website</ref> Comăneci never performed to "Nadia's Theme", however. Her floor exercise music was a medley of the songs "]" and "]", arranged for piano.<ref name=si />


==1977–1979== ===1977–1979===
Comăneci successfully defended her European all-around title at the championship competition in 1977. When questions were raised at the competition about the scoring, Ceaușescu ordered the Romanian gymnasts to return home. The team followed orders amid controversy and walked out of the competition during the event finals.<ref name=Fischer/><ref>Comăneci, pp. 61–62.</ref> Comăneci successfully defended her European all-around title at the championship competition in 1977. When questions were raised at the competition about the scoring, Ceaușescu ordered the Romanian gymnasts to return home. The team followed orders amid controversy and walked out of the competition during the event finals.<ref name=Fischer/><ref>Comăneci, pp. 61–62.</ref>


Line 119: Line 130:
After the 1978 "Worlds", Comăneci was permitted to return to Deva and the Károlyis' school.<ref>Comăneci, pp. 68–72.</ref> In 1979, Comăneci won her third consecutive European all-around title, becoming the first gymnast, male or female, to achieve this feat. At the ] in ] that December, Comăneci led the field after the compulsory competition. She was hospitalized before the optional portion of the team competition for blood poisoning, which had resulted from 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, Comăneci spent several days recovering in All Saints Hospital. She had to undergo a minor surgical procedure for the infected hand, which had developed an ].<ref> ''The Epistle,'' (All Saints Episcopal Hospital), January 1980.</ref><ref>Comăneci, pp. 87–91.</ref><ref>''Little Girls in Pretty Boxes.'' Ryan, Joan. 1995, Doubleday. {{ISBN|0-385-47790-2}}.</ref> After the 1978 "Worlds", Comăneci was permitted to return to Deva and the Károlyis' school.<ref>Comăneci, pp. 68–72.</ref> In 1979, Comăneci won her third consecutive European all-around title, becoming the first gymnast, male or female, to achieve this feat. At the ] in ] that December, Comăneci led the field after the compulsory competition. She was hospitalized before the optional portion of the team competition for blood poisoning, which had resulted from 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, Comăneci spent several days recovering in All Saints Hospital. She had to undergo a minor surgical procedure for the infected hand, which had developed an ].<ref> ''The Epistle,'' (All Saints Episcopal Hospital), January 1980.</ref><ref>Comăneci, pp. 87–91.</ref><ref>''Little Girls in Pretty Boxes.'' Ryan, Joan. 1995, Doubleday. {{ISBN|0-385-47790-2}}.</ref>


==1980–1984== ===1980–1984===


===1980 Summer Olympics=== ====1980 Summer Olympics====
] ]
Comăneci was chosen to participate in the ] in ]. As a result of the ], ] declared that the United States would ] (several other countries also participated in the boycott, though their reasons varied). According to Comăneci, the Romanian government "touted the 1980 Olympic games as the first all-Communist Games." However, she also noted in her memoir, "in Moscow, we walked into the mouth of a lion's den; it was the Russians' home turf."<ref>Comăneci, p. 98.</ref> She won two gold medals, one for the ] and one for the ] (in which she tied with Soviet gymnast Nellie Kim, against whom she had also competed in the 1976 Montreal Olympics and other events). She also won two silver medals, one for ] and one for ]. Controversies arose concerning the scoring in the all-around and floor exercise competitions.{{r|guardian20111214}} As of the ], she is the only gymnast to defend her Olympic gold medal in the balance beam apparatus. Comăneci was chosen to participate in the ] in ]. As a result of the ], ] ] declared that the United States would ] (several other countries also participated in the boycott, though their reasons varied). According to Comăneci, the Romanian government "touted the 1980 Olympic games as the first all-Communist Games." However, she also noted in her memoir, "in Moscow, we walked into the mouth of a lion's den; it was the Russians' home turf."<ref>Comăneci, p. 98.</ref> She won two gold medals, one for the ] and one for the ] (in which she tied with Soviet gymnast Nellie Kim, against whom she had also competed in the 1976 Montreal Olympics and other events). She also won two silver medals, one for ] and one for ]. Controversies arose concerning the scoring in the all-around and floor exercise competitions.{{r|guardian20111214}} As of the ], she is the only gymnast to defend her Olympic gold medal in the balance beam apparatus.


Her coach, Bela Károlyi, protested that she was scored unfairly. His protests were captured on television. According to Comăneci's memoir, the Romanian government was upset about Károlyi's public behavior, feeling that he had humiliated them. Life became very difficult for Károlyi from that point on.<ref>Comăneci, pp. 99–105.</ref> Her coach, Bela Károlyi, protested that she was scored unfairly. His protests were captured on television. According to Comăneci's memoir, the Romanian government was upset about Károlyi's public behavior, feeling that he had humiliated them. Life became very difficult for Károlyi from that point on.<ref>Comăneci, pp. 99–105.</ref>


==="Nadia '81"=== ===="Nadia '81"====
], 1980]] ], 1980]]


In 1981, the Gymnastics Federation contacted Comăneci and informed her that she would be part of an official tour of the United States named "Nadia '81" and her coaches Béla and Márta Károlyi would lead the group. During this tour, Comăneci's team shared a bus trip with American gymnasts; it was the third time she had encountered Bart Conner. They had earlier met in 1976. She later remembered thinking, "Conner was cute. He bounced around the bus talking to everyone—he was incredibly friendly and fun."<ref>Comăneci, pp. 111–112.</ref> In 1981, the Gymnastics Federation contacted Comăneci and informed her that she would be part of an official tour of the United States named "Nadia '81" and her coaches ] and ] would lead the group. During this tour, Comăneci's team shared a bus trip with American gymnasts; it was the third time she had encountered Bart Conner. They had earlier met in 1976. She later remembered thinking, "Conner was cute. He bounced around the bus talking to everyone—he was incredibly friendly and fun."<ref>Comăneci, pp. 111–112.</ref>


Her coaches Béla and Márta Károlyi ] on the last day of the tour, along with the Romanian team choreographer Géza Pozsár. Prior to defecting, Károlyi hinted a few times to Comăneci that he might attempt to do so and indirectly asked if she wanted to join him. At that time, she had no interest in defecting, and said she wanted to go home to Romania. After the defection of the Károlyis, life changed drastically for Comăneci in Romania, as she could not have predicted. Officials feared that she would also defect. Feeling she was a national asset, they strictly monitored her actions, refusing to allow her to travel outside the country.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}} The Károlyis ] on the last day of the tour, along with the Romanian team choreographer Géza Pozsár. Prior to defecting, Károlyi hinted a few times to Comăneci that he might attempt to do so and indirectly asked if she wanted to join him. At that time, she had no interest in defecting, and said she wanted to go home to Romania. After the defection of the Károlyis, life changed drastically for Comăneci in Romania, as she could not have predicted. Officials feared that she would also defect. Feeling she was a national asset, they strictly monitored her actions, refusing to allow her to travel outside the country.<ref name="p121">Comăneci, p. 121.</ref>


===1984 Summer Olympics=== ====1984 Summer Olympics====
The government did allow Comăneci to participate in the ] in ] as part of the Romanian delegation. Although a number of Communist nations ] in a ] against the U.S.-led boycott of the Olympics in Moscow four years before, Romania chose to participate. Comăneci later wrote in her memoir that many believed Romania went to the Olympics because an agreement had been made with the United States not to accept defectors. But Comăneci did not participate in the Games as a member of the Romanian team; she served as an observer. She was able to see Károlyi's new protégé, American gymnast ], who won five medals including one gold. The Romanian delegation did not allow her to talk with Károlyi and closely watched her the entire time.<ref>Comăneci, pp. 125–6.</ref> The government did allow Comăneci to participate in the ] in ] as part of the Romanian delegation. Although a number of Communist nations ] in a ] against the U.S.-led boycott of the Olympics in Moscow four years before, Romania chose to participate. Comăneci later wrote in her memoir that many believed Romania went to the Olympics because an agreement had been made with the United States not to accept defectors. But Comăneci did not participate in the Games as a member of the Romanian team; she served as an observer. She was able to see Károlyi's new protégé, American gymnast ], who won five medals, including one gold. The Romanian delegation did not allow her to talk with Károlyi and closely watched her the entire time.<ref>Comăneci, pp. 125–6.</ref>


==1984–1990== ====Retirement====
] ]
The Romanian government continued to restrict Comăneci from leaving Romania, aside from a few select trips to Moscow and Cuba. She had started thinking about retiring a few years earlier, but her official retirement ceremony took place in Bucharest in 1984. It was attended by the chairman of the ].<ref name="Still A Perfect 10" /> The Romanian government continued to restrict Comăneci from leaving Romania, aside from a few select trips to Moscow and Cuba. Throughout her career, she had been subjected to round-the-clock surveillance at the hands of the ] secret police.<ref name="El Pais">{{cite news |title=Everything the Romanian secret police knew about Nadia Comaneci |url=https://english.elpais.com/culture/2023-09-06/everything-the-romanian-secret-police-knew-about-nadia-comaneci.html |access-date=May 3, 2024 |work=El Pais}}</ref> She had started thinking about retiring a few years earlier, but her official retirement ceremony took place in Bucharest in 1984. It was attended by the chairman of the ].<ref name="Still A Perfect 10" />


Comăneci later wrote in her memoir: Comăneci later wrote in her memoir:
<blockquote>Life took on a new bleakness. I was cut off from making the small amount of extra money that had really made a difference in my family's life. It was also insulting that a normal person in Romania had the chance to travel, whereas I could not…. when my gymnastics career was over, there was no longer any need to keep me happy. I was to do as I was instructed, just as I'd done my entire life…. If ] hadn't defected, I would still have been watched, but his defection brought a spotlight on my life, and it was blinding. I started to feel like a prisoner.<ref name="p121">Comăneci, p. 121.</ref></blockquote> <blockquote>Life took on a new bleakness. I was cut off from making the small amount of extra money that had really made a difference in my family's life. It was also insulting that a normal person in Romania had the chance to travel, whereas I could not ... when my gymnastics career was over, there was no longer any need to keep me happy. I was to do as I was instructed, just as I'd done my entire life…. If ] hadn't defected, I would still have been watched, but his defection brought a spotlight on my life, and it was blinding. I started to feel like a prisoner.<ref name="p121">Comăneci, p. 121.</ref></blockquote>


==Personal life==
On the night of November 27, 1989, a few weeks before the ], Comăneci defected with a group of other Romanians, crossing the ] around ]. They were guided by Constantin Panait, a Romanian who later became an American citizen after defecting. Their journey was mostly on foot and at night. They traveled through ] and ] and finally were able to take a plane to the United States.<ref name=Fischer/><ref name="InterGym" /><ref>Comăneci, pp. 137–148.</ref><ref name=fugit>{{cite news |url=https://www.gsp.ro/sporturi/gimnastica/cum-a-fugit-nadia-comaneci-din-romania-628949.html |title=Cum a fugit Nadia Comăneci din România |access-date=May 14, 2021 |date=April 12, 2021 |newspaper=Gazeta Sporturilor}}</ref>

==1990–present==
] meeting First Lady ], 2009]] ] meeting First Lady ], 2009]]
On the night of November 27, 1989, a few weeks before the ], Comăneci defected with a group of other Romanians, crossing the ] around ]. They were guided by Constantin Panait, a Romanian who later became an American citizen after defecting. Their journey was mostly on foot and at night. They traveled through ] and ] and finally were able to take a plane to the United States.<ref name=Fischer/><ref name="InterGym" /><ref>Comăneci, pp. 137–148.</ref><ref name=fugit>{{cite news |url=https://www.gsp.ro/sporturi/gimnastica/cum-a-fugit-nadia-comaneci-din-romania-628949.html |title=Cum a fugit Nadia Comăneci din România |access-date=May 14, 2021 |date=April 12, 2021 |newspaper=Gazeta Sporturilor}}</ref>


Comăneci moved to Oklahoma in 1991 to help her friend ], another Olympic gold medalist, with his gymnastics school. She lived with the family of ] and eventually hired him as her manager.<ref>Comăneci, pp. 160–162.</ref> Comăneci and Conner were together for four years before they became engaged, marrying in 1996.<ref>Comăneci, pp. 162–164.</ref> She returned to ] for their wedding, which was held in ]. This was after the fall of the ] and the establishment of a democratic Romania; the government welcomed her as a national hero. The wedding was televised live in Romania, and the couple's reception was held in the former presidential palace.<ref name="InterGym" /><ref> ''Cincinnati Post,'' April 6, 1996.</ref> Comăneci became a naturalized US citizen in 2001 while retaining her Romanian citizenship.<ref>{{cite web |date=July 14, 2016 |title=Nadia Comaneci on Winning Carnegie's Great Immigrant Award |url=http://www.oprah.com/wherearetheynow/nadia-comaneci-on-winning-carnegies-great-immigrant-award-video |access-date=March 20, 2018 |website=Oprah.com}}</ref> In 2006, the couple's son Dylan was born.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921035444/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,1201186,00.html|date=September 21, 2016}}, ''People,'' June 6, 2006.</ref><ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726194240/http://jurnalul.ro/vechiul-site/old-site/english-version/former-gymnasts-nadia-comaneci-and-bart-conner-baptized-their-first-child-dylan-paul-13602.html|date=July 26, 2014}}, Catalina Iancu, ''Jurnalul National,'' August 28, 2006.</ref>
Comăneci moved to Oklahoma in 1991 to help her friend Bart Conner, another Olympic gold medalist, with his gymnastics school. She lived with the family of ] and eventually hired him as her manager.<ref>Comăneci, pp. 160–162.</ref> Comăneci and Conner initially were just friends. They were together for four years before they became engaged.<ref>Comăneci, pp. 162–164.</ref>


On May 18, 1997, Comăneci and Conner guest-starred on the ] finale of '']'', titled "A Delicate Balance," where they performed a brief floor exercise within a montage scene.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/touched_by_an_angel/s03/e28 |title=Touched by an Angel: Season 3 Episode 28 |work=Rotten Tomatoes}}</ref>
Since 1994, the Nadia Comăneci International Invitational has welcomed gymnasts ranging from USAG level 4 to level 10. The competition has also hosted international elite competition in the mid-2010s, with ] being a notable attendee in 2013 among others.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.bartconnergymnastics.com/index.php?hosted-meets | title=Hosted Meets &#124; Bart Conner Gymnastics Academy }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://thegymter.net/2013/02/16/2013-nadia-comaneci-invitational-results/ | title=2013 Nadia Comaneci Invitational Results | date=February 17, 2013 }}</ref>


Since 1994, the Nadia Comăneci International Invitational has welcomed gymnasts ranging from USAG level 4 to level 10. The competition also hosted international elite competition in the mid-2010s, with ] being a notable attendee in 2013 among others.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hosted Meets &#124; Bart Conner Gymnastics Academy |url=http://www.bartconnergymnastics.com/index.php?hosted-meets}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=February 17, 2013 |title=2013 Nadia Comaneci Invitational Results |url=https://thegymter.net/2013/02/16/2013-nadia-comaneci-invitational-results/}}</ref>
She returned to ] for their 1996 wedding, which was held in ]. This was after the fall of the ] and the establishment of a capitalist Romania; the government welcomed her as a national hero. The wedding was televised live throughout Romania, and the couple's reception was held in the former presidential palace.<ref name="InterGym" /><ref> ''Cincinnati Post,'' April 6, 1996.</ref>


She was the featured speaker at the 50th annual Independence Day Naturalization Ceremony on July 4, 2012, at ], the first athlete invited to speak in the history of the ceremony.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.monticello.org/site/press/olympic-champion-nadia-com%C4%83neci-be-featured-july-4-speaker-monticello |title=Olympic champion Nadia Comăneci to be featured July 4 speaker at Monticello |date=May 11, 2012 |publisher=monticello.org |access-date=April 21, 2013 |archive-date=September 18, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160918015351/https://www.monticello.org/site/press/olympic-champion-nadia-com%C4%83neci-be-featured-july-4-speaker-monticello |url-status=dead}}</ref>
On May 18, 1997, Nadia Comaneci and Bart Conner guest-starred on the Season 3 finale of '']'' where they performed a brief floor exercise within a montage scene.<ref>imdb.com Touched by an Angel Season 3 Episode 28 A Delicate Balance</ref>

Comăneci became a naturalized US citizen in 2001, while retaining her Romanian citizenship.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oprah.com/wherearetheynow/nadia-comaneci-on-winning-carnegies-great-immigrant-award-video |title=Nadia Comaneci on Winning Carnegie's Great Immigrant Award |website=Oprah.com |date=July 14, 2016 |access-date=March 20, 2018}}</ref> In 2006, the couple's son Dylan was born.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921035444/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,1201186,00.html |date=September 21, 2016 }}, ''People,'' June 6, 2006.</ref><ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726194240/http://jurnalul.ro/vechiul-site/old-site/english-version/former-gymnasts-nadia-comaneci-and-bart-conner-baptized-their-first-child-dylan-paul-13602.html |date=July 26, 2014 }}, Catalina Iancu, ''Jurnalul National,'' August 28, 2006.</ref>

She was the featured speaker at the 50th annual Independence Day Naturalization Ceremony on July 4, 2012, at ], the first athlete invited to speak in the history of the ceremony.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.monticello.org/site/press/olympic-champion-nadia-com%C4%83neci-be-featured-july-4-speaker-monticello |title=Olympic champion Nadia Comăneci to be featured July 4 speaker at Monticello |date=May 11, 2012 |publisher=monticello.org |access-date=April 21, 2013 |archive-date=September 18, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160918015351/https://www.monticello.org/site/press/olympic-champion-nadia-com%C4%83neci-be-featured-july-4-speaker-monticello |url-status=dead }}</ref> In October 2017, an area in the ] in Montreal was renamed "Place Nadia Comaneci" in her honor.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nadia Comaneci honored with public space next to Montreal's Olympic Stadium |first=Brett |last=Amadon |work=Excelle Sports |date=October 4, 2017 |access-date=October 12, 2017 |url=http://www.excellesports.com/news/nadia-comaneci-public-space-montreal/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017202406/http://www.excellesports.com/news/nadia-comaneci-public-space-montreal/ |archive-date=October 17, 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Montreal Olympic Park unveils plaza honouring gymnast Nadia Comaneci |work=] |date=October 4, 2017 |access-date=October 12, 2017 |url=https://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/montreal-olympic-park-unveils-plaza-honouring-gymnast-nadia-comaneci}}</ref>


==Leadership roles== ==Leadership roles==
], April 2012]] ], April 2012]]


Comăneci is a well-known figure in the world of gymnastics; she serves as the honorary president of the Romanian Gymnastics Federation, the honorary president of the Romanian Olympic Committee, the sports ambassador of Romania, and as a member of the International Gymnastics Federation Foundation. She and Conner own the Bart Conner Gymnastics Academy, the Perfect&nbsp;10 Production Company, and several sports equipment shops, and are the editors of '']''.{{citation needed|date=June 2019}} Comăneci is a well-known figure in the world of gymnastics; she serves as the honorary president of the Romanian Gymnastics Federation, the honorary president of the Romanian Olympic Committee, the sports ambassador of Romania, and as a member of the International Gymnastics Federation Foundation. She and Conner own the Bart Conner Gymnastics Academy, the Perfect&nbsp;10 Production Company, and several sports equipment shops, and are the editors of '']''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Nadia Comaneci: A pioneer in perfection |website=Olympics.com |date=August 15, 2020 |url=https://olympics.com/en/news/nadia-comaneci-a-pioneer-in-perfection |access-date=August 14, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Rendell |first=Matt |title=The perfect ten |website=the Guardian |date=July 4, 2004 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2004/jul/04/athensolympics2004.gymnastics |access-date=August 14, 2024}}</ref>


She is also still involved with the Olympic Games. During the ] in ], one of her perfect-10 Montreal uneven bars routines was featured in a commercial for ].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/2004-ATHENS-GAMES-ADVERTISING-Sporting-a-2702410.php#photo-2167818 |title=2004 Athens Games: Advertising |newspaper=] |date=August 12, 2004 |access-date=April 21, 2013}}</ref> In addition, both Comăneci and her husband Bart Conner provided television commentary for the ] in ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=3540036 |title=The First Family of Gymnastics |access-date=August 21, 2008 |last=Roenigk |first=Alyssa |work=ESPN The Magazine |date=August 17, 2008}}</ref> A few years later, on July 21, 2012, Comăneci, along with former basketball star ], carried the Olympic torch to the roof of the ] as part of the torch relay for the ] in ].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/torch-relay/9416821/London-2012-Olympics-The-torch-begins-its-journey-across-London.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/torch-relay/9416821/London-2012-Olympics-The-torch-begins-its-journey-across-London.html |archive-date=January 12, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=London 2012 Olympics: The torch begins its journey across London |newspaper=] |date=July 21, 2012 |access-date=March 15, 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Prior to the ] in ], Comăneci appeared in a TIDE advertisement called "The Evolution of Power" with ] and three-time Olympic gymnast ].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/gymnasts-dominique-dawes-nadia-comaneci-reflect-on-olympics-w211715/ |title=Dominique Dawes Predicts How Many Golds for Simone Biles? |date=June 30, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/olympic-gymnasts-simone-b_b_10972486 |title=Olympic Gymnasts Simone Biles, Dominique Dawes, And Nadia Comaneci Partner In 'The Evolution of Power' Video |date=July 14, 2016 |website=HuffPost}}</ref> She also offered daily analysis of the 2016 games (along with other Olympic champions such as ], ], and Conner), for the late-night show ''É Campeão,'' broadcast on Brazil's ].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.sportsvideo.org/2016/09/02/rio-2016-globosats-sportv-captivates-olympic-fans-in-brazil/ |title=Rio 2016: Globosat's SporTV Captivates Olympic Fans in Brazil |author=<!--Not stated--> |website=Sports Video Group|date=September 2, 2016 }}</ref> She is also still involved with the Olympic Games. During the ] in ], one of her perfect-10 Montreal uneven bars routines was featured in a commercial for ].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/2004-ATHENS-GAMES-ADVERTISING-Sporting-a-2702410.php#photo-2167818 |title=2004 Athens Games: Advertising |newspaper=] |date=August 12, 2004 |access-date=April 21, 2013}}</ref> In addition, both Comăneci and her husband ] provided television commentary for the ] in ].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/espnmag/story?id=3540036 |title=The First Family of Gymnastics |access-date=August 21, 2008 |last=Roenigk |first=Alyssa |work=ESPN The Magazine |date=August 17, 2008}}</ref> A few years later, on July 21, 2012, Comăneci, along with former basketball star ], carried the Olympic torch to the roof of the ] as part of the torch relay for the ] in ].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/torch-relay/9416821/London-2012-Olympics-The-torch-begins-its-journey-across-London.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/torch-relay/9416821/London-2012-Olympics-The-torch-begins-its-journey-across-London.html |archive-date=January 12, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=London 2012 Olympics: The torch begins its journey across London |newspaper=] |date=July 21, 2012 |access-date=March 15, 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Prior to the ] in ], Comăneci appeared in a TIDE advertisement called "The Evolution of Power" with ] and three-time Olympic gymnast ].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/gymnasts-dominique-dawes-nadia-comaneci-reflect-on-olympics-w211715/ |title=Dominique Dawes Predicts How Many Golds for Simone Biles? |date=June 30, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/olympic-gymnasts-simone-b_b_10972486 |title=Olympic Gymnasts Simone Biles, Dominique Dawes, And Nadia Comaneci Partner In 'The Evolution of Power' Video |date=July 14, 2016 |website=HuffPost}}</ref> She also offered daily analysis of the 2016 games (along with other Olympic champions such as ], ], and Conner), for the late-night show ''É Campeão,'' broadcast on Brazil's ].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.sportsvideo.org/2016/09/02/rio-2016-globosats-sportv-captivates-olympic-fans-in-brazil/ |title=Rio 2016: Globosat's SporTV Captivates Olympic Fans in Brazil |author=<!--Not stated--> |website=Sports Video Group |date=September 2, 2016}}</ref> On July 26, 2024, she participated in the ] of the ] in ], alongside past Olympians Carl Lewis, ], and ], carrying the ] in the final stages of the ] up the river ] to the ] museum on its way to the ] in the ].<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 26, 2024 |title=Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams Help Light Cauldron to Open Paris Olympics |url=https://www.si.com/olympics/rafael-nadal-serena-williams-help-light-cauldron-paris-olympics |access-date=July 27, 2024 |website=SI |language=en-US}}</ref>


In addition, Comăneci is highly involved in fundraising for a number of charities. She personally funded the construction and operation of the Nadia Comăneci Children's Clinic in Bucharest that provides low-cost and free medical and social support to Romanian children.<ref name="Still A Perfect 10" /> In 2003, the Romanian government appointed her as an honorary consul general of Romania to the United States to deal with bilateral ].<ref name="consul"> Retrieved July 31, 2012.</ref> In addition, both Comăneci and Conner are involved with the ].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.specialolympics.org/Sections/Who_We_Are/Supporters/Nadia_Comaneci.aspx |title=Nadia Comaneci, Global Ambassador |access-date=October 16, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141209042443/http://www.specialolympics.org/Sections/Who_We_Are/Supporters/Nadia_Comaneci.aspx |archive-date=December 9, 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.specialolympics.org/News_and_Stories/Stories2014/Special_Olympics_Heroes_Bart_Conner_and_Nadia_Comaneci.aspx |title=On Mats, Bars and Boards, Bart Conner and Nadia Comaneci Lead by Example |access-date=October 16, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911025127/http://www.specialolympics.org/News_and_Stories/Stories2014/Special_Olympics_Heroes_Bart_Conner_and_Nadia_Comaneci.aspx |archive-date=September 11, 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In addition, Comăneci is highly involved in fundraising for a number of charities. She personally funded the construction and operation of the Nadia Comăneci Children's Clinic in Bucharest that provides low-cost and free medical and social support to Romanian children.<ref name="Still A Perfect 10" /> In 2003, the Romanian government appointed her as an honorary consul general of Romania to the United States to deal with bilateral ].<ref name="consul"> Retrieved July 31, 2012.</ref> In addition, both Comăneci and Conner are involved with the ].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.specialolympics.org/Sections/Who_We_Are/Supporters/Nadia_Comaneci.aspx |title=Nadia Comaneci, Global Ambassador |access-date=October 16, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141209042443/http://www.specialolympics.org/Sections/Who_We_Are/Supporters/Nadia_Comaneci.aspx |archive-date=December 9, 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.specialolympics.org/News_and_Stories/Stories2014/Special_Olympics_Heroes_Bart_Conner_and_Nadia_Comaneci.aspx |title=On Mats, Bars and Boards, Bart Conner and Nadia Comaneci Lead by Example |access-date=October 16, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911025127/http://www.specialolympics.org/News_and_Stories/Stories2014/Special_Olympics_Heroes_Bart_Conner_and_Nadia_Comaneci.aspx |archive-date=September 11, 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref>


To raise money for charity, Comăneci participated in ]'s ], ]. Comăneci was a member of "The Empresario" team (all women), which lost to "The Hydra" team (all men) in the second episode. Trump responded to this loss by firing Comăneci,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://people.com/tv/celebrity-apprentice-ivanka-trump-vs-gene-simmons/ |title=Celebrity Apprentice: Ivanka Trump vs. Gene&nbsp;Simmons |website=People}}</ref> thwarting her plan for raising money.<ref name="so">{{Cite web |url=http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/gallery/athletes-who-have-appeared-on-reality-television-shows-122210 |title=Sports stars on reality TV |first1=foxsports |last1=Oct 20 |first2=2016 at 4:59p |last2=ET |website=FOX Sports}}</ref> Comăneci later commented on her participation in the show, saying she "had great fun. I only did it because it was all for charity."<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2008/01/09/nadia-travels-from-10-to-trump/ |title=Nadia travels from "10" to Trump |date=January 10, 2008}}</ref> To raise money for charity, Comăneci participated in the ] of ]'s ] '']''. Comăneci was a member of "The Empresario" team (all women), which lost to "The Hydra" team (all men) in the second episode. Trump responded to this loss by firing Comăneci,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://people.com/tv/celebrity-apprentice-ivanka-trump-vs-gene-simmons/ |title=Celebrity Apprentice: Ivanka Trump vs. Gene&nbsp;Simmons |website=People}}</ref> Comăneci later commented on her participation in the show, saying she "had great fun. I only did it because it was all for charity."<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2008/01/09/nadia-travels-from-10-to-trump/ |title=Nadia travels from "10" to Trump |date=January 10, 2008}}</ref>


==Honors and awards== ==Honors and awards==
]
* 1975 and 1976: The ]<ref>{{cite book |editor1-first=Brown |editor1-last=Gerry |editor2-last=Morrison |editor2-first=Michael |year=2003 |title=ESPN ] Sports Almanac |location=New York City |publisher=] and ] (joint) |isbn=0-7868-8715-X}}{{page needed|date=July 2018}}</ref>
* 1975 and 1976: The ]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://olympics.com/athlete365/yournetwork/entourage/nadia-comaneci-a365 |title=Nadia Comaneci |website=olympics.com |access-date=December 3, 2024}}</ref>
* 1976: ]<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1989/11/29/Comaneci-darling-of-76-Olympics-defects/6829628318800/ |title=Comaneci, darling of '76 Olympics, defects |last=Laszlo |first=Erika |date=November 29, 1989 |work=] |access-date=July 16, 2018 |language=en}}</ref> * 1976: ]<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1989/11/29/Comaneci-darling-of-76-Olympics-defects/6829628318800/ |title=Comaneci, darling of '76 Olympics, defects |last=Laszlo |first=Erika |date=November 29, 1989 |work=] |access-date=July 16, 2018 |language=en}}</ref>
* 1976: ]<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/simone-biles-ap-female-athlete-of-the-year/ |title=Simone Biles chosen as AP's Female Athlete of the Year |date=December 26, 2016 |work=] |access-date=July 16, 2018 |language=en}}</ref> * 1976: ]<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/simone-biles-ap-female-athlete-of-the-year/ |title=Simone Biles chosen as AP's Female Athlete of the Year |date=December 26, 2016 |work=] |access-date=July 16, 2018 |language=en}}</ref>
Line 181: Line 188:
* 1993: ]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ighof.com/master.php |title=Inductees |publisher=International Gymnastics Hall of Fame |access-date=July 16, 2018}}</ref> * 1993: ]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ighof.com/master.php |title=Inductees |publisher=International Gymnastics Hall of Fame |access-date=July 16, 2018}}</ref>
* 1998: ]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.marca.com/marca-leyenda.html |title=MARCA Leyenda |website=] |access-date=July 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180717072614/http://www.marca.com/marca-leyenda.html |archive-date=July 17, 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref> * 1998: ]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.marca.com/marca-leyenda.html |title=MARCA Leyenda |website=] |access-date=July 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180717072614/http://www.marca.com/marca-leyenda.html |archive-date=July 17, 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
* 1998: ]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/25900976.html?dids=25900976:25900976&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Feb+06%2C+1998&author=Elissa+Leibowitz&pub=The+Washington+Post&desc=Comaneci+Vaults+Back+Into+the+Spotlight%3B+Olympic+Gymnast+Receives+Women%27s+Sports+Foundation+Award&pqatl=google |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120720141418/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/25900976.html?dids=25900976:25900976&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Feb+06,+1998&author=Elissa+Leibowitz&pub=The+Washington+Post&desc=Comaneci+Vaults+Back+Into+the+Spotlight;+Olympic+Gymnast+Receives+Women's+Sports+Foundation+Award&pqatl=google |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 20, 2012 |title=Comaneci Vaults Back Into the Spotlight; Olympic Gymnast Receives Women's Sports Foundation Award |last=Leibowitz |first=Elissa |date=February 6, 1998 |newspaper=The Washington Post |page=C2 |access-date=March 9, 2011 }}{{subscription required}}</ref> * 1998: ]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/25900976.html?dids=25900976:25900976&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Feb+06%2C+1998&author=Elissa+Leibowitz&pub=The+Washington+Post&desc=Comaneci+Vaults+Back+Into+the+Spotlight%3B+Olympic+Gymnast+Receives+Women%27s+Sports+Foundation+Award&pqatl=google |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120720141418/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/25900976.html?dids=25900976:25900976&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Feb+06,+1998&author=Elissa+Leibowitz&pub=The+Washington+Post&desc=Comaneci+Vaults+Back+Into+the+Spotlight;+Olympic+Gymnast+Receives+Women's+Sports+Foundation+Award&pqatl=google |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 20, 2012 |title=Comaneci Vaults Back Into the Spotlight; Olympic Gymnast Receives Women's Sports Foundation Award |last=Leibowitz |first=Elissa |date=February 6, 1998 |newspaper=The Washington Post |page=C2 |access-date=March 9, 2011}}{{subscription required}}</ref>
* 2004: The ]<ref>{{cite news |title=A new trophy for Nadia Comaneci |url=http://www.olympic.org/news?articleid=55404 |publisher=] |date=March 29, 2004 |access-date=December 19, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402103514/http://www.olympic.org/news?articleid=55404 |archive-date=April 2, 2015}}</ref> * 2004: The ]<ref>{{cite news |title=A new trophy for Nadia Comaneci |url=http://www.olympic.org/news?articleid=55404 |publisher=] |date=March 29, 2004 |access-date=December 19, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402103514/http://www.olympic.org/news?articleid=55404 |archive-date=April 2, 2015}}</ref>
* 2016: Great Immigrant Honoree: ]<ref></ref> * 2016: Great Immigrant Honoree: ]<ref></ref>
* 2017: She was recognized as one of the BBC's 100 women of 2017.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2017-09-27 |title=BBC 100 Women 2017: Who is on the list? |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-41380265 |access-date=2022-12-17}}</ref> * 2017: She was recognized as one of the ] of 2017.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 27, 2017 |title=BBC 100 Women 2017: Who is on the list? |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-41380265 |access-date=December 17, 2022}}</ref>
* 2017: an area in the ] in Montreal was renamed "Place Nadia Comaneci".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Amadon |first=Brett |date=October 4, 2017 |title=Nadia Comaneci honored with public space next to Montreal's Olympic Stadium |url=http://www.excellesports.com/news/nadia-comaneci-public-space-montreal/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017202406/http://www.excellesports.com/news/nadia-comaneci-public-space-montreal/ |archive-date=October 17, 2017 |access-date=October 12, 2017 |work=Excelle Sports}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=October 4, 2017 |title=Montreal Olympic Park unveils plaza honouring gymnast Nadia Comaneci |url=https://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/montreal-olympic-park-unveils-plaza-honouring-gymnast-nadia-comaneci |access-date=October 12, 2017 |work=]}}</ref>
* 2021: ], Grand Officer<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.romania-insider.com/nadia-comaneci-decorated-iohannis |title= Romanian president decorates legendary gymnast Nadia Comaneci|newspaper=Romania Insider |date= November 12, 2021|access-date=1 September 2022}}{{SemiBareRefNeedsTitle|date=September 2022}}</ref> * 2021: ], Grand Officer<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.romania-insider.com/nadia-comaneci-decorated-iohannis |title=Romanian president decorates legendary gymnast Nadia Comaneci |newspaper=Romania Insider |date=November 12, 2021 |access-date=September 1, 2022}}{{title missing|date=September 2022}}</ref>


== Skills == == Skills ==


{{quote box|width=22%|align=right|quote="With her trademark verve, graceful delivery and unflickering precision, the 14-year-old from Romania set the bar to which future generations of gymnasts would aspire."|source=–''Lost art: Powerhouse physiques winning out over spellbinding grace'', '']'', 2015<ref name="Artisty"/>}} {{quote box|width=22%|align=right|quote="With her trademark verve, graceful delivery and unflickering precision, the 14-year-old from Romania set the bar to which future generations of gymnasts would aspire."|source=–''Lost art: Powerhouse physiques winning out over spellbinding grace'', '']'', 2015<ref name="Artisty"/>}}
Comăneci was known for her clean technique, innovative and difficult original skills, and her stoic, cool demeanor in competition.<ref name=si /><ref name=leap> Anita Verschoth, ''Sports Illustrated,'' April 12, 1976.</ref><ref> ''Time'', August 2, 1976.</ref> On the balance beam, she was the first gymnast to successfully perform an aerial cartwheel-back ] series. She is also credited as being the first gymnast to perform a double-twist ].<ref name=si /><ref name=leap /> Her skills on the floor exercise included a tucked double back ] and a double twist.<ref name=leap /> Comăneci was known for her clean technique, innovative and difficult original skills, and her stoic, cool demeanor in competition.<ref name=si /><ref name=leap> Anita Verschoth, ''Sports Illustrated,'' April 12, 1976.</ref><ref> ''Time'', August 2, 1976.</ref> On the balance beam, she was the first gymnast to successfully perform an aerial cartwheel-back ] series. She is also credited as being the first gymnast to perform a double-twist ].<ref name=si /><ref name=leap /> Her skills on the floor exercise included a tucked double back ] and a double twist.<ref name=leap />

Comăneci has two eponymous uneven bars skills listed in the ], the ] and the Comăneci dismount.<ref>{{cite web |title=2022–2024 Code of Points Women's Artistic Gymnastics |url=https://www.gymnastics.sport/publicdir/rules/files/en_WAG%20CoP%202022-2024.pdf |website=] |access-date=January 22, 2022 |pages=80, 100, 207–208 |archive-date=May 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512092714/https://www.gymnastics.sport/publicdir/rules/files/en_WAG%20CoP%202022-2024.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>Comăneci, p. 1.</ref><ref>Comăneci, p. 15.</ref>


Comăneci has two eponymous uneven bars skills listed in the ], the ] and the Comăneci dismount.<ref>{{cite web |title=2022–2024 Code of Points Women's Artistic Gymnastics |url=https://www.gymnastics.sport/publicdir/rules/files/en_WAG%20CoP%202022-2024.pdf |website=] |access-date=22 January 2022 |pages=80, 100, 207–208 |archive-date=May 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512092714/https://www.gymnastics.sport/publicdir/rules/files/en_WAG%20CoP%202022-2024.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>Comăneci, p. 1.</ref><ref>Comăneci, p. 15.</ref>
{| class="wikitable" {| class="wikitable"
|- |-
Line 200: Line 209:
!Difficulty{{efn|name=difficulty|Valid for the 2022–2024 Code of Points}} !Difficulty{{efn|name=difficulty|Valid for the 2022–2024 Code of Points}}
|- |-
|Uneven bars || ] || Front support on high bar - cast with salto forward straddled to hang on high bar || E |Uneven bars || ] || Front support on high bar cast with salto forward straddled to hang on high bar || E
|- |-
|Uneven bars || Comăneci || Underswing with ½ turn (180°) to salto backward tucked or picked || C |Uneven bars || Comăneci || Underswing with ½ turn (180°) to salto backward tucked or piked || C
|} |}
{{notelist}}


==Competitive history==
==Competitive history<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gymn-forum.net/bios/women/comaneci.html | title=Gymn Forum: Nadia Comaneci Biography }}</ref>==
]
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:95%;" {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:95%;"
|- |-
Line 220: Line 229:
! colspan="19" | '''Junior''' ! colspan="19" | '''Junior'''
|- |-
| rowspan="3" | '''1971''' || align=left | Championships of the Republic, Category III ||{{goca}} ||4 || || || || | rowspan="3" | '''1971''' || align=left | Novice Romanian Championships ||{{gold1}} ||4 || || || ||
|- |-
| align=left | Cup of the Romanian Gymnastics Federation (Category IV) || ||{{goca}} ||{{goca}} ||{{goca}} ||{{goca}} ||{{goca}} | align=left | Romanian Cup || ||{{gold1}} ||{{gold1}} ||{{gold1}} ||{{gold1}} ||{{gold1}}
|- |-
| align=left | Junior ROM-YUG Dual Meet ||{{goca}} ||{{goca}} || || || || | align=left | Junior ROM-YUG Dual Meet ||{{gold1}} ||{{gold1}} || || || ||
|- |-
| rowspan="8" | '''1972''' || align=left | Championships of the Republic, Category III ||{{goca}} ||{{sica}} || || || || | rowspan="8" | '''1972''' || align=left | Novice Romanian Championships||{{gold1}} ||{{silver2}} || || || ||
|- |-
| align=left | Championships of the Republic for Juniors ||{{goca}} ||{{goca}} || || || || | align=left | Junior Romanian Championships ||{{gold1}} ||{{gold1}} || || || ||
|- |-
| align=left | Cup of the ROM Gymnastics Federation (Category II) ||{{goca}} || || || || || | align=left | Romanian Cup ||{{gold1}} || || || || ||
|- |-
| align=left | Junior BUL-ROM Dual Meet ||{{goca}} ||{{sica}} || ||{{goca}} || ||{{goca}} | align=left | BUL-ROM Dual Meet ||{{gold1}} ||{{silver2}} || ||{{gold1}} || ||{{gold1}}
|- |-
| align=left | Junior Friendship Tournament (Druzhba) ||4 || ||6 ||{{goca}} ||{{goca}} || | align=left | Friendship Tournament ||4 || ||6 ||{{gold1}} ||{{gold1}} ||
|- |-
| align=left | Junior ROM-GDR Dual Meet ||{{goca}} ||{{brca}} || || || || | align=left | ROM-GDR Dual Meet ||{{gold1}} ||{{bronze3}} || || || ||
|- |-
| align=left | Junior ROM-RSFSR Dual Meet ||{{goca}} ||{{goca}} || || || || | align=left | ROM-RSFSR Dual Meet ||{{gold1}} ||{{gold1}} || || || ||
|- |-
| align=left | Junior ROM-HUN Dual Meet ||{{goca}} ||{{goca}} || || || || | align=left | ROM-HUN Dual Meet ||{{gold1}} ||{{gold1}} || || || ||
|- |-
| rowspan="6" | '''1973''' || align=left | International Championships of Romania || ||{{goca}} ||{{goca}} ||{{goca}} ||{{goca}} ||{{goca}} | rowspan="6" | '''1973''' || align=left | International Championships of Romania || ||{{gold1}} ||{{gold1}} ||{{gold1}} ||{{gold1}} ||{{gold1}}
|- |-
| align=left | Junior Friendship Tournament (Druzhba) ||{{brca}} ||{{goca}} ||{{goca}} ||{{goca}} || ||{{brca}} | align=left | Friendship Tournament ||{{bronze3}} ||{{gold1}} ||{{gold1}} ||{{gold1}} || ||{{bronze3}}
|- |-
| align=left | Junior ITA-ROM Dual Meet ||{{goca}} ||{{goca}} || || || || | align=left | ITA-ROM Dual Meet ||{{gold1}} ||{{gold1}} || || || ||
|- |-
| align=left | Junior ROM-URS Dual Meet ||{{sica}} ||{{goca}} ||{{goca}} ||{{goca}} || ||{{goca}} | align=left | ROM-URS Dual Meet ||{{silver2}} ||{{gold1}} ||{{gold1}} ||{{gold1}} || ||{{gold1}}
|- |-
| align=left | Romanian Senior Team Championships ||{{goca}} ||{{goca}} || || || || | align=left | Romanian Team Championships ||{{gold1}} ||{{gold1}} || || || ||
|- |-
| align=left | Romanian Schools Championships (Senior Category) || ||{{brca}} || || || || | align=left | Romanian Schools Championships || ||{{bronze3}} || || || ||
|- |-
| rowspan="2" | '''1974''' || align=left | Junior Romanian Championships || ||{{goca}} || || || || | rowspan="2" | '''1974''' || align=left | Junior Romanian Championships || ||{{gold1}} || || || ||
|- |-
| align=left | Junior ROM-POL-Denver (USA) Tri-Meet ||{{goca}} ||{{goca}} || || || || | align=left | ROM-POL-Denver Tri-Meet ||{{gold1}} ||{{gold1}} || || || ||
|- |-
! colspan="40" | '''Senior''' ! colspan="40" | '''Senior'''
|- |-
| rowspan="7" | '''1975''' || align=left | Champions All || ||{{goca}} || || || || | rowspan="7" | '''1975''' || align=left | Champions All || ||{{gold1}} || || || ||
|- bgcolor=#F5F6CE |- bgcolor=#F5F6CE
| align=left | ] || ||{{goca}} ||{{goca}} ||{{goca}} ||{{goca}} ||{{sica}} | align=left | ] || ||{{gold1}} ||{{gold1}} ||{{gold1}} ||{{gold1}} ||{{silver2}}
|- |-
| align=left | FRG-ROM Dual Meet ||{{goca}} ||{{goca}} || || || || | align=left | FRG-ROM Dual Meet ||{{gold1}} ||{{gold1}} || || || ||
|- |-
| align=left | Pre-Olympics || ||{{goca}} ||{{sica}} ||{{goca}} ||{{brca}} ||{{sica}} | align=left | Pre-Olympics || ||{{gold1}} ||{{silver2}} ||{{gold1}} ||{{bronze3}} ||{{silver2}}
|- |-
| align=left | Romanian National Championships ||{{goca}} ||{{goca}} ||{{goca}} ||{{goca}} ||{{goca}} ||{{sica}} | align=left | Romanian Championships ||{{gold1}} ||{{gold1}} ||{{gold1}} ||{{gold1}} ||{{gold1}} ||{{silver2}}
|- |-
| align=left | ROM-CAN Dual Meet ||{{goca}} ||{{goca}} || || || || | align=left | ROM-CAN Dual Meet ||{{gold1}} ||{{gold1}} || || || ||
|- |-
| align=left | ROM-ITA Dual Meet ||{{goca}} ||{{goca}} || || || || | align=left | ROM-ITA Dual Meet ||{{gold1}} ||{{gold1}} || || || ||
|- |-
| rowspan="10" | '''1976''' || align=left | American Cup || ||{{goca}} || || || || | rowspan="10" | '''1976''' || align=left | ] || ||{{gold1}} || || || ||
|- |-
| align=left | Balkan Championships ||{{goca}} ||{{goca}} ||{{goca}} || {{goca}}||{{goca}} ||{{goca}} | align=left | Balkan Championships ||{{gold1}} ||{{gold1}} ||{{gold1}} || {{gold1}}||{{gold1}} ||{{gold1}}
|- |-
| align=left | CAN-ROM Dual Meet ||{{goca}} ||{{goca}} || || || || | align=left | CAN-ROM Dual Meet ||{{gold1}} ||{{gold1}} || || || ||
|- |-
| align=left | Chunichi Cup || ||{{goca}} || || || || | align=left | Chunichi Cup || ||{{gold1}} || || || ||
|- |-
| align=left | FRG-ROM Dual Meet ||{{goca}} ||{{goca}} || || || || | align=left | FRG-ROM Dual Meet ||{{gold1}} ||{{gold1}} || || || ||
|- |-
| align=left | GBR-ROM Dual Meet ||{{goca}} ||{{goca}} || || || || | align=left | GBR-ROM Dual Meet ||{{gold1}} ||{{gold1}} || || || ||
|- |-
| align=left | NED-ROM Dual Meet ||{{goca}} ||{{goca}} || || || || | align=left | NED-ROM Dual Meet ||{{gold1}} ||{{gold1}} || || || ||
|-bgcolor=98FB98 |-bgcolor=98FB98
| align=left | ] ||{{sica}} ||{{goca}} ||4 ||{{goca}} ||{{goca}} ||{{brca}} | align=left | ''']''' ||{{silver2}} ||{{gold1}} ||4 ||{{gold1}} ||{{gold1}} ||{{bronze3}}
|- |-
| align=left | Romanian National Championships || ||{{goca}} ||{{goca}} ||{{goca}} ||{{goca}} ||{{sica}} | align=left | Romanian Championships || ||{{gold1}} ||{{gold1}} ||{{gold1}} ||{{gold1}} ||{{silver2}}
|- |-
| align=left | USA-ROM Dual Meet ||{{goca}} ||{{goca}} || || || || | align=left | USA-ROM Dual Meet ||{{gold1}} ||{{gold1}} || || || ||
|- |-
| rowspan="9" | '''1977''' || align=left | Balkan Championships ||{{goca}} ||{{goca}} || || || || | rowspan="9" | '''1977''' || align=left | Balkan Championships ||{{gold1}} ||{{gold1}} || || || ||
|- |-
| align=left | ESP-ROM Dual Meet (Barcelona) ||{{goca}} ||{{goca}} || || || || | align=left | ESP-ROM Dual Meet I ||{{gold1}} ||{{gold1}} || || || ||
|- |-
| align=left | ESP-ROM Dual Meet (Madrid) ||{{goca}} ||{{goca}} || || || || | align=left | ESP-ROM Dual Meet II ||{{gold1}} ||{{gold1}} || || || ||
|-bgcolor=#F5F6CE |-bgcolor=#F5F6CE
| align=left | ] || ||{{goca}} ||{{sica}} ||{{goca}} || || | align=left | ] || ||{{gold1}} ||{{silver2}} ||{{gold1}} || ||
|- |-
| align=left | FRA-ROM Dual Meet ||{{goca}} ||{{goca}} || || || || | align=left | FRA-ROM Dual Meet ||{{gold1}} ||{{gold1}} || || || ||
|- |-
| align=left | International Championships of Romania || ||{{goca}} || ||{{goca}} ||{{goca}} ||{{goca}} | align=left | International Championships of Romania || ||{{gold1}} || ||{{gold1}} ||{{gold1}} ||{{gold1}}
|- |-
| align=left | Orleans International || ||{{goca}} || || || || | align=left | Orleans International || ||{{gold1}} || || || ||
|- |-
| align=left | ROM-CAN Dual Meet ||{{goca}} ||{{goca}} || || || || | align=left | ROM-CAN Dual Meet ||{{gold1}} ||{{gold1}} || || || ||
|- |-
| align=left | USA-ROM Dual Meet ||{{goca}} ||{{goca}} || || || || | align=left | USA-ROM Dual Meet ||{{gold1}} ||{{gold1}} || || || ||
|- |-
| rowspan="3" | '''1978''' || align=left | ITA-ROM Dual Meet ||{{goca}} ||{{goca}} || || || || | rowspan="3" | '''1978''' || align=left | ITA-ROM Dual Meet ||{{gold1}} ||{{gold1}} || || || ||
|- |-
| align=left | Milan International || ||{{goca}} || || || || | align=left | Milan International || ||{{gold1}} || || || ||
|-bgcolor=#CCCCFF |-bgcolor=#CCCCFF
| align=left | ] ||{{sica}} || ||{{sica}} ||5 ||{{goca}} ||8 | align=left | ] ||{{silver2}} || ||{{silver2}} ||5 ||{{gold1}} ||8
|- |-
| rowspan="6" | '''1979''' || align=left | Balkan Championships ||{{goca}} ||{{goca}} ||{{goca}} ||{{goca}} || ||{{sica}} | rowspan="6" | '''1979''' || align=left | Balkan Championships ||{{gold1}} ||{{gold1}} ||{{gold1}} ||{{gold1}} || ||{{silver2}}
|- |-
| align=left | Champions All || ||{{goca}} || || || || | align=left | Champions All || ||{{gold1}} || || || ||
|-bgcolor=#F5F6CE |-bgcolor=#F5F6CE
| align=left | ] || ||{{goca}} ||{{goca}} ||4 ||{{brca}} ||{{goca}} | align=left | ] || ||{{gold1}} ||{{gold1}} ||4 ||{{bronze3}} ||{{gold1}}
|- |-
| align=left | International Championships of Romania || ||{{goca}} || ||{{goca}} || || | align=left | International Championships of Romania || ||{{gold1}} || ||{{gold1}} || ||
|-bgcolor=#CCCCFF |-bgcolor=#CCCCFF
| align=left | ] ||{{goca}} || || || || || | align=left | ] ||{{gold1}} || || || || ||
|- |-
| align=left | Tokyo World Cup Final || ||4 ||{{goca}} || ||{{sica}} ||{{goca}} | align=left | ] || ||4 ||{{gold1}} || ||{{silver2}} ||{{gold1}}
|- |-
| rowspan="3" | '''1980''' || align=left | International Championships of Romania || ||{{goca}} || ||{{goca}} || || | rowspan="3" | '''1980''' || align=left | International Championships of Romania || ||{{gold1}} || ||{{gold1}} || ||
|- |-
| align=left | ITA-ROM Dual Meet ||{{goca}} ||{{goca}} || || || || | align=left | ITA-ROM Dual Meet ||{{gold1}} ||{{gold1}} || || || ||
|-bgcolor=98FB98 |-bgcolor=98FB98
| align=left | ] ||{{sica}} ||{{sica}} ||5 || ||{{goca}} ||{{goca}} | align=left | ''']''' ||{{silver2}} ||{{silver2}} ||5 || ||{{gold1}} ||{{gold1}}
|- |-
| rowspan="2" | '''1981''' || align=left | Daciada || ||{{goca}} || || || || | rowspan="2" | '''1981''' || align=left | Daciada || ||{{gold1}} || || || ||
|- |-
| align=left | ] ||{{goca}} ||{{goca}} ||{{goca}} ||{{goca}} ||{{goca}} || | align=left | ] ||{{gold1}} ||{{gold1}} ||{{gold1}} ||{{gold1}} ||{{gold1}} ||
|-
|} |}
<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gymn-forum.net/bios/women/comaneci.html |website=Gymn Forum |access-date=April 10, 2024 |title=Nadia Comaneci Biography}}</ref>


==Book and films== ==Book and films==
* Comăneci's 2004 memoir, ''Letters to a Young Gymnast'', is part of the '']'' series by Basic Books.<ref>]</ref><ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923125709/http://www.basicbooks.com/full-details?isbn=9780465025053 |date=September 23, 2016 }}. basicbooks.com</ref> * Comăneci's 2004 memoir, ''Letters to a Young Gymnast'', is part of the '']'' series by Basic Books.<ref>]</ref><ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923125709/http://www.basicbooks.com/full-details?isbn=9780465025053 |date=September 23, 2016 }}. basicbooks.com</ref>
* ] directed a short 2015 documentary for ] about Comăneci entitled ''Eternal Princess'' that premiered at the ].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.uxentertainment.com/brandedent-4/ |title=''Eternal Princess'' |access-date=August 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160916035820/http://www.uxentertainment.com/brandedent-4/ |archive-date=September 16, 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://espnmediazone.com/us/weekly-updates/espn-thisweek-may-24-2016/#h |title=Short Film Eternal Princess, Directed by Katie Holmes, Debuts on espnW |access-date=August 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910233546/http://espnmediazone.com/us/weekly-updates/espn-thisweek-may-24-2016/#h |archive-date=September 10, 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref> * ] directed a short 2015 documentary for ] about Comăneci entitled ''Eternal Princess'' that premiered at the ].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.uxentertainment.com/brandedent-4/ |title=''Eternal Princess'' |access-date=August 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160916035820/http://www.uxentertainment.com/brandedent-4/ |archive-date=September 16, 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://espnmediazone.com/us/weekly-updates/espn-thisweek-may-24-2016/#h |title=Short Film Eternal Princess, Directed by Katie Holmes, Debuts on espnW |access-date=August 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910233546/http://espnmediazone.com/us/weekly-updates/espn-thisweek-may-24-2016/#h |archive-date=September 10, 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
* In 2016, ] produced a Pola Rapaport documentary about Comăneci entitled ''Nadia Comăneci, la gymnast et le dictateur'' (Nadia Comăneci: The Gymnast and the Dictator).<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://boutique.arte.tv/detail/nadia_comaneci_gymnaste_et_dictateur |title=Nadia Comăneci, la gymnaste et le dictateur |language=fr |website=boutique.arte.tv |publisher=ARTE Boutique}}</ref> * In 2016, ] France produced a Pola Rapaport documentary about Comăneci entitled ''Nadia Comăneci, la gymnaste et le dictateur'' ("Nadia Comăneci: The Gymnast and the Dictator").<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://boutique.arte.tv/detail/nadia_comaneci_gymnaste_et_dictateur |title=Nadia Comăneci, la gymnaste et le dictateur |language=fr |website=boutique.arte.tv |publisher=ARTE Boutique}}</ref>
* In 1984, Comăneci was the subject of a biopic television film, ''].''<ref name=unauth>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/07/29/sports/nadia-comaneci-still-glows-as-images-of-1976-recede.html?pagewanted=all |title=Nadia Comăneci Still Glows as Images of 1976 Recede |access-date=September 4, 2016 |last=Lindsey |first=Robert |date=July 29, 1984 |newspaper=]}}</ref> The film was developed without her involvement (although the content was described to her by others). She later stated publicly that the producers never made contact with her: "I sincerely don't even want to see it; I feel so badly about it. It distorts my life so totally."<ref name=unauth/> * In 1984, Comăneci was the subject of a biopic television film, '']''.<ref name=unauth>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/07/29/sports/nadia-comaneci-still-glows-as-images-of-1976-recede.html?pagewanted=all |title=Nadia Comăneci Still Glows as Images of 1976 Recede |access-date=September 4, 2016 |last=Lindsey |first=Robert |date=July 29, 1984 |newspaper=]}}</ref> The film was developed without her involvement (although the content was described to her by others). She later stated publicly that the producers never made contact with her: "I sincerely don't even want to see it; I feel so badly about it. It distorts my life so totally."<ref name=unauth/>
* In 2012, ] chose Comăneci to dub Granny Norma in Romanian in the animated movie '']''.<ref>Gloria Sauciuc- Cinemagia – 20 ani de magie de la primul film dublat în limba română</ref> * In 2012, ] chose Comăneci to dub Granny Norma in Romanian in the animated movie '']''.<ref>Gloria Sauciuc- Cinemagia – 20 ani de magie de la primul film dublat în limba română</ref>
* In 2021, Stejărel Olaru published in Romanian a biographical volume, ''Nadia și Securitatea (Nadia and the Securitate)'', at Epica Publishing House.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://balkaninsight.com/2021/05/14/book-reveals-nadia-comanecis-ordeal-in-ceausescus-romania/ |title=''Book Reveals Nadia Comăneci's Ordeal in Ceaușescu's Romania'' |date=May 14, 2021 |access-date=January 9, 2022 |isbn=9786069519707|last1=Olaru |first1=Stejărel }}</ref> * In 2021, Stejărel Olaru published in Romanian a biographical volume, ''Nadia și Securitatea'' ("Nadia and the Securitate"), at Epica Publishing House.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://balkaninsight.com/2021/05/14/book-reveals-nadia-comanecis-ordeal-in-ceausescus-romania/ |title=''Book Reveals Nadia Comăneci's Ordeal in Ceaușescu's Romania'' |date=May 14, 2021 |access-date=January 9, 2022 |isbn=9786069519707 |last1=Olaru |first1=Stejărel |publisher=Epica Fiction & History}}</ref>


== See also == == See also ==
Line 357: Line 366:
* ] * ]
* ] * ]

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}


== References == == References ==
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== Further reading == == Further reading ==
*{{cite book|last=Olaru|first=Stejarel|title=Nadia Comaneci and the Secret Police: A Cold War Escape |publisher=Bloomsbury |year=2023 |isbn=9781350321298}} *{{cite book |last=Olaru |first=Stejarel |title=Nadia Comaneci and the Secret Police: A Cold War Escape |publisher=Bloomsbury |year=2023 |isbn=978-1350321298}}
*{{cite book|last=Comaneci|first=Nadia|title=Letters to a Young Gymnast|edition=reprint|year=2011|publisher=Basic Books|isbn=978-0-4650-2505-3}} *{{cite book |last=Comaneci |first=Nadia |title=Letters to a Young Gymnast |edition=reprint |year=2011 |publisher=Basic Books |isbn=978-0-4650-2505-3}}
*{{cite book |last=Miklowitz |first=Gloria D. |author-link1=Gloria D. Miklowitz |title=Nadia Comaneci |year=1977 |publisher=Grosset & Dunlap |isbn=978-0-4481-2973-0}}

*{{cite book|last=Miklowitz|first=Gloria D.|author-link1=Gloria D. Miklowitz|title=Nadia Comaneci|year=1977|publisher=Grosset & Dunlap|isbn=978-0-4481-2973-0}} *{{cite book |last=Temple |first=Cliff |author-link1=Cliff Temple |title=The Enchanting Story of Little Miss Perfect |year=1977 |publisher=Everest Books |isbn=978-0-9050-1878-2}}
*{{cite book|last=Temple|first=Cliff|author-link1=Cliff Temple|title=The Enchanting Story of Little Miss Perfect|year=1977|publisher=Everest Books|isbn=978-0-9050-1878-2}} *{{cite book |last=Comaneci |first=Nadia |title=Nadia: The Autobiography of Nadia Comaneci |year=1981 |publisher=Proteus Books |isbn=978-0-9060-7178-6}}
*{{cite book|last=Comaneci|first=Nadia|title=Nadia: The Autobiography of Nadia Comaneci|year=1981|publisher=Proteus Books|isbn=978-0-9060-7178-6}} *{{cite book |last=Woolum |first=Janet |title=Outstanding Women Athletes: Who They Are and How They Influenced Sports In America |edition=2nd |year=1998 |publisher=Greenwood |isbn=978-1-5735-6120-4}}
*{{cite book|last=Woolum|first=Janet|title=Outstanding Women Athletes: Who They Are and How They Influenced Sports In America|edition=2nd|year=1998|publisher=Greenwood|isbn=978-1-5735-6120-4}} *{{cite book |last=Weiniger |first=Peter |title=Sporting Heroes |year=2001 |publisher=Thomson Learning |isbn=978-1-8696-1476-8}}
*{{cite book|last=Weiniger|first=Peter|title=Sporting Heroes|year=2001|publisher=Thomson Learning|isbn=978-1-8696-1476-8}} *{{cite book |last=Meyers |first=Dvora |title=The End of the Perfect 10: The Making and Breaking of Gymnastics' Top Score – from Nadia to Now |year=2016 |publisher=Atria Books |isbn=978-1-5011-0136-6}}
*{{cite book|last=Meyers|first=Dvora|title=The End of the Perfect 10: The Making and Breaking of Gymnastics' Top Score—from Nadia to Now|year=2016|publisher=Atria Books|isbn=978-1-5011-0136-6}} *{{cite book |last=Dimitriu |first=Dumitru |title=Nadia Comăneci și echipa de aur |year=1976 |publisher=Sport-Turism |ol=4679678M}}

*{{cite book|last=Dimitriu|first=Dumitru|title=Nadia Comăneci și echipa de aur|year=1976|publisher=Sport-Turism|ol=4679678M}}


== External links == == External links ==
{{Commons category|Nadia Comăneci}} {{Commons category|Nadia Comăneci}}
* {{Official website|bartandnadia.com}} * {{Official website|bartandnadia.com}}
* {{FIG}}
* {{IGHOF}}
* {{Olympics.com}}
* {{Olympedia}} * {{Olympedia}}
* {{COSR|new_id=comaneci-nadia|old_id=nadia-comaneci}}
* {{IMDb name}} * {{IMDb name}}
* First person interview conducted on February 28, 2013, with Bart Conner, husband of Nadia Comăneci. * First person interview conducted on February 28, 2013, with Bart Conner, husband of Nadia Comăneci.


'''Video clips''': '''Video clips''':
* – ], 2010 * – ], 2010
* – ], 2015 * – ], 2015
* – ], 2012 * – ], 2012
* – ], 2016 * – ], 2016
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Latest revision as of 14:58, 22 December 2024

Romanian gymnast (born 1961)

Nadia Comăneci
Comăneci in 2024
Personal information
Full nameNadia Elena Comăneci
Nickname(s)Nana
Born (1961-11-12) November 12, 1961 (age 63)
Onești, Romanian PR
ResidenceNorman, Oklahoma, U.S.
Height5 ft 3.5 in (1.61 m)
Spouse Bart Conner ​(m. 1996)
Gymnastics career
DisciplineWomen's artistic gymnastics
Country represented Romania
Years on national team1970–1984 (ROU)
College teamPolitehnica University of Bucharest
LevelSenior Elite
GymNational Training Center
Former coach(es)Béla Károlyi
Márta Károlyi
ChoreographerGéza Pozsár
Eponymous skillsComăneci salto (uneven bars)
RetiredMay 7, 1984 (official)
Medal record
Representing  Romania
Women's artistic gymnastics
Event 1st 2nd 3rd
Olympic Games 5 3 1
World Championships 2 2 0
World Cup Final 2 1 0
European Championships 9 2 1
Summer Universiade 5 0 0
Total 23 8 2
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 1976 Montréal All-Around
Gold medal – first place 1976 Montréal Uneven Bars
Gold medal – first place 1976 Montréal Balance Beam
Gold medal – first place 1980 Moscow Balance Beam
Gold medal – first place 1980 Moscow Floor Exercise
Silver medal – second place 1976 Montréal Team
Silver medal – second place 1980 Moscow Team
Silver medal – second place 1980 Moscow All-Around
Bronze medal – third place 1976 Montréal Floor Exercise
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 1978 Strasbourg Balance Beam
Gold medal – first place 1979 Ft. Worth Team
Silver medal – second place 1978 Strasbourg Team
Silver medal – second place 1978 Strasbourg Vault
World Cup Final
Gold medal – first place 1979 Tokyo Vault
Gold medal – first place 1979 Tokyo Floor Exercise
Silver medal – second place 1979 Tokyo Balance Beam
European Championships
Gold medal – first place 1975 Skien All-Around
Gold medal – first place 1975 Skien Uneven Bars
Gold medal – first place 1975 Skien Balance Beam
Gold medal – first place 1975 Skien Vault
Gold medal – first place 1977 Prague All-Around
Gold medal – first place 1977 Prague Uneven Bars
Gold medal – first place 1979 Copenhagen All-Around
Gold medal – first place 1979 Copenhagen Vault
Gold medal – first place 1979 Copenhagen Floor Exercise
Silver medal – second place 1975 Skien Floor Exercise
Silver medal – second place 1977 Prague Vault
Bronze medal – third place 1979 Copenhagen Balance Beam
Summer Universiade
Gold medal – first place 1981 Bucharest Team
Gold medal – first place 1981 Bucharest All-Around
Gold medal – first place 1981 Bucharest Uneven Bars
Gold medal – first place 1981 Bucharest Vault
Gold medal – first place 1981 Bucharest Floor Exercise

Nadia Elena Comăneci Conner (née Comăneci; born November 12, 1961) is a Romanian retired gymnast. She is a five-time Olympic gold medalist, all in individual events. In 1976, at the age of 14, Comăneci was the first gymnast to be awarded a perfect score of 10.0 at the Olympic Games. At the same Games (1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal), she received six more perfect 10s for events en route to winning three gold medals. At the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, she won two more gold medals and achieved two more perfect 10s. During her career, she won nine Olympic medals and four World Artistic Gymnastics Championship medals.

One of the world's best-known gymnasts, Comăneci was praised for her artistry and grace, which brought unprecedented global popularity to the sport in the mid-1970s. Called "the most iconic gymnast of the 20th century" by El País, Comăneci was named one of the Athletes of the 20th century by the Laureus World Sports Academy.

Comăneci has lived in the United States since 1989, when she defected from then-Communist Romania, before its revolution in December that year. She later worked with and married American Olympic gold-medal gymnast Bart Conner — a wedding which was held in Bucharest after the fall of the Communist regime and televised live in Romania.

Early life

Onești (Gheorghe Gheorghiu-Dej between 1965 and 1989), the town where Comăneci was born

Nadia Elena Comăneci was born on November 12, 1961, in Onești, a small town in the Carpathian Mountains, in Bacău County, Romania, in the historical region of Western Moldavia. She was born to Gheorghe (1936–2012) and Ștefania Comăneci, and has a younger brother. Her parents separated in the 1970s and her father later moved to Bucharest, the capital. She and her brother, Adrian, were raised in the Romanian Orthodox Church. In a 2011 interview, her mother said that she enrolled Comăneci into gymnastics classes because, as a child, she was so full of energy and active that she was difficult to manage. After years of top-level athletic competition, Comăneci graduated from Politehnica University of Bucharest with a degree in sports education, which qualified her to coach gymnastics.

Gymnastics career

Early gymnastics career

Nadia Comăneci during the Europian Championships in Prague, Czechoslovakia in May 1977

Nadia began gymnastics in kindergarten with a local team called Flacără ("The Flame"), with coaches Duncan and Munteanu. At age 6, she was chosen to attend Béla Károlyi's experimental gymnastics school, after Károlyi spotted her and a friend turning cartwheels in a schoolyard. Károlyi was looking for gymnasts he could train from a young age. When recess ended, the girls quickly went inside and Károlyi went around the classrooms trying to find them; he eventually spotted Comăneci. (The other girl, Viorica Dumitru, developed in a different direction and became one of Romania's top ballerinas.)

By 1968, when she was seven, Comăneci started training with Károlyi. She was one of the first students at the gymnastics school established in Onești by Károlyi and his wife, Márta. As a resident of the town, Comăneci was able to live at home for many years; most of the other students boarded at the school.

In 1970, Comăneci began competing as a member of her home town team and, at age nine, 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 dual meets with 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 international meet for junior gymnasts.

Comăneci's first major international success came at the age of 13, when she nearly swept the board at the 1975 European Women's Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Skien, Norway. She won the all-around and gold medals in every event but the floor exercise, in which she was placed second. She continued to enjoy success that year, winning the all-around at the 'Champions All' competition and coming first in the all-around, vault, beam and bars at the Romanian National Championships. In the pre-Olympic test event in Montreal Comăneci won the all-around and the balance beam golds as well as silvers in the vault, floor and bars. Accomplished Soviet gymnast Nellie Kim won the golds in those events and was one of Comăneci's greatest rivals for the next five years.

Monument dedicated to the Onești gymnastics school champions including Comăneci

1976

American Cup

In March 1976, Comăneci competed in the inaugural edition of the American Cup at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan. She received rare scores of 10, which signified a perfect routine without any deductions, for her vault in the preliminary stage and for her floor exercise routine in the final of the all-around competition, which she won. During this competition, Comăneci met American gymnast Bart Conner for the first time. While he remembered this meeting, Comăneci noted in her memoirs that she had to be reminded of it later in life. She was 14 and Conner was celebrating his 18th birthday. They both won a silver cup and were photographed together. A few months later, they participated in the 1976 Summer Olympics that Comăneci dominated, while Conner was a marginal figure. Conner later said, "Nobody knew me, and certainly didn't pay attention to me."

1976 Summer Olympics

Comăneci at the 1976 Olympics

At Montreal received four of her seven 10s on the uneven bars. The apparatus demands such a spectacular burst of energy in such a short time—only 23 seconds—that it attracts the most fanfare. But it is on the beam that her work seems more representative of her considerable skill. She scored three of her seven 10s on the beam. Her hands speak there as much as her body. Her pace magnifies her balance. Her command and distance hush the crowd.

— Sports Illustrated, 1976
Comăneci at the 1976 Olympics

On July 18, 1976, Comăneci made history at the Montreal Olympics. During the team compulsory portion of the competition, she was awarded the first perfect 10 in Olympic gymnastics for her routine on the uneven bars. Omega SA, the official Olympics scoreboard manufacturer, had been led to believe that competitors could not receive a perfect ten, and had not programmed the scoreboard to display this score. Comăneci's perfect 10 thus appeared as "1.00," the only means by which the judges could indicate that she had received a 10.

During the remainder of the Montreal Games, Comăneci earned six additional "10s". She won gold medals for the individual all-around, the balance beam and uneven bars. She also won a bronze for the floor exercise and a silver as part of the team all-around. Soviet gymnast Nellie Kim was her main rival during the Montreal Olympics; Kim became the second gymnast to receive a perfect ten, in her case for her performance on the vault. Comăneci took over the media spotlight from gymnast Olga Korbut, who had been the darling of the 1972 Munich Games.

Comăneci was the first Romanian gymnast to win the Olympic all-around title. She also holds the record as the youngest ever Olympic gymnastics all-around champion at age 14. The sport has since raised its age-eligibility requirements so that gymnasts must be at least 16 in the same calendar year of the Olympics in order to compete. When Comăneci competed in 1976, gymnasts had only to be 14 by the first day of the competition. Unless the age of eligibility is lowered, Comăneci's record cannot be broken.

She was ranked as the BBC Overseas Sports Personality of the Year for 1976 and the Associated Press' 1976 "Female Athlete of the Year". Back home in Romania, Comăneci was awarded the Sickle and Hammer Gold Medal for her success, and she was named a Hero of Socialist Labor. She was the youngest Romanian to receive such recognition during the administration of Nicolae Ceaușescu.

"Nadia's Theme"

"Nadia's Theme" refers to an instrumental piece that became linked to Comăneci shortly after the 1976 Olympics. It was part of the musical score of the 1971 film Bless the Beasts and Children and originally titled "Cotton's Dream". It was also used as the title theme music for the American soap opera The Young and the Restless.

Robert Riger used it in association with slow-motion montages of Comăneci on the television program ABC's Wide World Of Sports. The song became a top-10 single in the fall of 1976, and composers Barry De Vorzon and Perry Botkin Jr. renamed it as "Nadia's Theme" in Comăneci's honor. Comăneci never performed to "Nadia's Theme", however. Her floor exercise music was a medley of the songs "Yes Sir, That's My Baby" and "Jump in the Line", arranged for piano.

1977–1979

Comăneci successfully defended her European all-around title at the championship competition in 1977. When questions were raised at the competition about the scoring, Ceaușescu ordered the Romanian gymnasts to return home. The team followed orders amid controversy and walked out of the competition during the event finals.

Following the 1977 Europeans, the Romanian Gymnastics Federation removed Comăneci from her longtime coaches, the Károlyis, and sent her to Bucharest on August 23 to train at the sports complex. She did not find this change positive and was struggling with bodily changes as she grew older. Her gymnastics skills suffered, and she was unhappy to the point of losing the desire to live. After surviving a suicide attempt, Comăneci competed in the 1978 World Championships in Strasbourg "seven inches taller and a stone and a half heavier" than she was in the 1976 Olympics. A fall from the uneven bars resulted in a fourth-place finish in the all-around behind Soviets Elena Mukhina, Nellie Kim, and Natalia Shaposhnikova. Comăneci did win the world title on beam, and a silver on vault.

After the 1978 "Worlds", Comăneci was permitted to return to Deva and the Károlyis' school. In 1979, Comăneci won her third consecutive European all-around title, becoming the first gymnast, male or female, to achieve this feat. At the World Championships in Fort Worth that December, Comăneci led the field after the compulsory competition. She was hospitalized before the optional portion of the team competition for blood poisoning, which had resulted from 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, Comăneci spent several days recovering in All Saints Hospital. She had to undergo a minor surgical procedure for the infected hand, which had developed an abscess.

1980–1984

1980 Summer Olympics

Comăneci in Moscow, 1980

Comăneci was chosen to participate in the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow. As a result of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, President Jimmy Carter declared that the United States would boycott the Olympics (several other countries also participated in the boycott, though their reasons varied). According to Comăneci, the Romanian government "touted the 1980 Olympic games as the first all-Communist Games." However, she also noted in her memoir, "in Moscow, we walked into the mouth of a lion's den; it was the Russians' home turf." She won two gold medals, one for the balance beam and one for the floor exercise (in which she tied with Soviet gymnast Nellie Kim, against whom she had also competed in the 1976 Montreal Olympics and other events). She also won two silver medals, one for the team all-around and one for individual all-around. Controversies arose concerning the scoring in the all-around and floor exercise competitions. As of the 2020 Summer Games, she is the only gymnast to defend her Olympic gold medal in the balance beam apparatus.

Her coach, Bela Károlyi, protested that she was scored unfairly. His protests were captured on television. According to Comăneci's memoir, the Romanian government was upset about Károlyi's public behavior, feeling that he had humiliated them. Life became very difficult for Károlyi from that point on.

"Nadia '81"

Comăneci on the balance beam, 1980

In 1981, the Gymnastics Federation contacted Comăneci and informed her that she would be part of an official tour of the United States named "Nadia '81" and her coaches Béla and Márta Károlyi would lead the group. During this tour, Comăneci's team shared a bus trip with American gymnasts; it was the third time she had encountered Bart Conner. They had earlier met in 1976. She later remembered thinking, "Conner was cute. He bounced around the bus talking to everyone—he was incredibly friendly and fun."

The Károlyis defected on the last day of the tour, along with the Romanian team choreographer Géza Pozsár. Prior to defecting, Károlyi hinted a few times to Comăneci that he might attempt to do so and indirectly asked if she wanted to join him. At that time, she had no interest in defecting, and said she wanted to go home to Romania. After the defection of the Károlyis, life changed drastically for Comăneci in Romania, as she could not have predicted. Officials feared that she would also defect. Feeling she was a national asset, they strictly monitored her actions, refusing to allow her to travel outside the country.

1984 Summer Olympics

The government did allow Comăneci to participate in the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles as part of the Romanian delegation. Although a number of Communist nations boycotted the 1984 Summer Olympics in a tit-for-tat against the U.S.-led boycott of the Olympics in Moscow four years before, Romania chose to participate. Comăneci later wrote in her memoir that many believed Romania went to the Olympics because an agreement had been made with the United States not to accept defectors. But Comăneci did not participate in the Games as a member of the Romanian team; she served as an observer. She was able to see Károlyi's new protégé, American gymnast Mary Lou Retton, who won five medals, including one gold. The Romanian delegation did not allow her to talk with Károlyi and closely watched her the entire time.

Retirement

A 2016 Romanian postage stamp showing Comăneci on the balance beam at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal

The Romanian government continued to restrict Comăneci from leaving Romania, aside from a few select trips to Moscow and Cuba. Throughout her career, she had been subjected to round-the-clock surveillance at the hands of the Securitate secret police. She had started thinking about retiring a few years earlier, but her official retirement ceremony took place in Bucharest in 1984. It was attended by the chairman of the International Olympic Committee.

Comăneci later wrote in her memoir:

Life took on a new bleakness. I was cut off from making the small amount of extra money that had really made a difference in my family's life. It was also insulting that a normal person in Romania had the chance to travel, whereas I could not ... when my gymnastics career was over, there was no longer any need to keep me happy. I was to do as I was instructed, just as I'd done my entire life…. If Béla hadn't defected, I would still have been watched, but his defection brought a spotlight on my life, and it was blinding. I started to feel like a prisoner.

Personal life

Comăneci and her husband Bart Conner meeting First Lady Michelle Obama, 2009

On the night of November 27, 1989, a few weeks before the Romanian revolution, Comăneci defected with a group of other Romanians, crossing the Hungary–Romania border around Cenad. They were guided by Constantin Panait, a Romanian who later became an American citizen after defecting. Their journey was mostly on foot and at night. They traveled through Hungary and Austria and finally were able to take a plane to the United States.

Comăneci moved to Oklahoma in 1991 to help her friend Bart Conner, another Olympic gold medalist, with his gymnastics school. She lived with the family of Paul Ziert and eventually hired him as her manager. Comăneci and Conner were together for four years before they became engaged, marrying in 1996. She returned to Romania for their wedding, which was held in Bucharest. This was after the fall of the Communist regime and the establishment of a democratic Romania; the government welcomed her as a national hero. The wedding was televised live in Romania, and the couple's reception was held in the former presidential palace. Comăneci became a naturalized US citizen in 2001 while retaining her Romanian citizenship. In 2006, the couple's son Dylan was born.

On May 18, 1997, Comăneci and Conner guest-starred on the season 3 finale of Touched by an Angel, titled "A Delicate Balance," where they performed a brief floor exercise within a montage scene.

Since 1994, the Nadia Comăneci International Invitational has welcomed gymnasts ranging from USAG level 4 to level 10. The competition also hosted international elite competition in the mid-2010s, with Rebeca Andrade being a notable attendee in 2013 among others.

She was the featured speaker at the 50th annual Independence Day Naturalization Ceremony on July 4, 2012, at Monticello, the first athlete invited to speak in the history of the ceremony.

Leadership roles

Comăneci at the BRD Năstase Țiriac Trophy, April 2012

Comăneci is a well-known figure in the world of gymnastics; she serves as the honorary president of the Romanian Gymnastics Federation, the honorary president of the Romanian Olympic Committee, the sports ambassador of Romania, and as a member of the International Gymnastics Federation Foundation. She and Conner own the Bart Conner Gymnastics Academy, the Perfect 10 Production Company, and several sports equipment shops, and are the editors of International Gymnast Magazine.

She is also still involved with the Olympic Games. During the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, one of her perfect-10 Montreal uneven bars routines was featured in a commercial for Adidas. In addition, both Comăneci and her husband Bart Conner provided television commentary for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. A few years later, on July 21, 2012, Comăneci, along with former basketball star John Amaechi, carried the Olympic torch to the roof of the O2 Arena as part of the torch relay for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. Prior to the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Comăneci appeared in a TIDE advertisement called "The Evolution of Power" with Simone Biles and three-time Olympic gymnast Dominique Dawes. She also offered daily analysis of the 2016 games (along with other Olympic champions such as Mark Spitz, Carl Lewis, and Conner), for the late-night show É Campeão, broadcast on Brazil's SporTV. On July 26, 2024, she participated in the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, alongside past Olympians Carl Lewis, Serena Williams, and Rafael Nadal, carrying the Olympic flame in the final stages of the torch relay up the river Seine to the Louvre museum on its way to the lighting of the Olympic cauldron in the Tuileries Garden.

In addition, Comăneci is highly involved in fundraising for a number of charities. She personally funded the construction and operation of the Nadia Comăneci Children's 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. In addition, both Comăneci and Conner are involved with the Special Olympics.

To raise money for charity, Comăneci participated in the celebrity version of Donald Trump's reality show The Apprentice. Comăneci was a member of "The Empresario" team (all women), which lost to "The Hydra" team (all men) in the second episode. Trump responded to this loss by firing Comăneci, Comăneci later commented on her participation in the show, saying she "had great fun. I only did it because it was all for charity."

Honors and awards

Comăneci in Montreal. Stamp of Romania, 1976

Skills

"With her trademark verve, graceful delivery and unflickering precision, the 14-year-old from Romania set the bar to which future generations of gymnasts would aspire."

Lost art: Powerhouse physiques winning out over spellbinding grace, The Herald, 2015

Comăneci was known for her clean technique, innovative and difficult original skills, and her stoic, cool demeanor in competition. On the balance beam, she was the first gymnast to successfully perform an aerial cartwheel-back handspring series. She is also credited as being the first gymnast to perform a double-twist dismount. Her skills on the floor exercise included a tucked double back salto and a double twist.

Comăneci has two eponymous uneven bars skills listed in the Code of Points, the Comăneci salto and the Comăneci dismount.

Apparatus Name Description Difficulty
Uneven bars Comăneci Front support on high bar – cast with salto forward straddled to hang on high bar E
Uneven bars Comăneci Underswing with ½ turn (180°) to salto backward tucked or piked C

Competitive history

Comăneci wearing her medals in 1976
Year Event Team AA VT UB BB FX
Junior
1971 Novice Romanian Championships 1st place, gold medalist(s) 4
Romanian Cup 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s)
Junior ROM-YUG Dual Meet 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s)
1972 Novice Romanian Championships 1st place, gold medalist(s) 2nd place, silver medalist(s)
Junior Romanian Championships 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s)
Romanian Cup 1st place, gold medalist(s)
BUL-ROM Dual Meet 1st place, gold medalist(s) 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s)
Friendship Tournament 4 6 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s)
ROM-GDR Dual Meet 1st place, gold medalist(s) 3rd place, bronze medalist(s)
ROM-RSFSR Dual Meet 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s)
ROM-HUN Dual Meet 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s)
1973 International Championships of Romania 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s)
Friendship Tournament 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s) 3rd place, bronze medalist(s)
ITA-ROM Dual Meet 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s)
ROM-URS Dual Meet 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s)
Romanian Team Championships 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s)
Romanian Schools Championships 3rd place, bronze medalist(s)
1974 Junior Romanian Championships 1st place, gold medalist(s)
ROM-POL-Denver Tri-Meet 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s)
Senior
1975 Champions All 1st place, gold medalist(s)
European Championships 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s) 2nd place, silver medalist(s)
FRG-ROM Dual Meet 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s)
Pre-Olympics 1st place, gold medalist(s) 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s) 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 2nd place, silver medalist(s)
Romanian Championships 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s) 2nd place, silver medalist(s)
ROM-CAN Dual Meet 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s)
ROM-ITA Dual Meet 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s)
1976 American Cup 1st place, gold medalist(s)
Balkan Championships 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s)
CAN-ROM Dual Meet 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s)
Chunichi Cup 1st place, gold medalist(s)
FRG-ROM Dual Meet 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s)
GBR-ROM Dual Meet 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s)
NED-ROM Dual Meet 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s)
Olympic Games 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s) 4 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s) 3rd place, bronze medalist(s)
Romanian Championships 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s) 2nd place, silver medalist(s)
USA-ROM Dual Meet 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s)
1977 Balkan Championships 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s)
ESP-ROM Dual Meet I 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s)
ESP-ROM Dual Meet II 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s)
European Championships 1st place, gold medalist(s) 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s)
FRA-ROM Dual Meet 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s)
International Championships of Romania 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s)
Orleans International 1st place, gold medalist(s)
ROM-CAN Dual Meet 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s)
USA-ROM Dual Meet 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s)
1978 ITA-ROM Dual Meet 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s)
Milan International 1st place, gold medalist(s)
World Championships 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 5 1st place, gold medalist(s) 8
1979 Balkan Championships 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s) 2nd place, silver medalist(s)
Champions All 1st place, gold medalist(s)
European Championships 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s) 4 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s)
International Championships of Romania 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s)
World Championships 1st place, gold medalist(s)
World Cup Final 4 1st place, gold medalist(s) 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s)
1980 International Championships of Romania 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s)
ITA-ROM Dual Meet 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s)
Olympic Games 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 5 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s)
1981 Daciada 1st place, gold medalist(s)
Summer Universiade 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s) 1st place, gold medalist(s)

Book and films

  • Comăneci's 2004 memoir, Letters to a Young Gymnast, is part of the Art of Mentoring series by Basic Books.
  • Katie Holmes directed a short 2015 documentary for ESPN about Comăneci entitled Eternal Princess that premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival.
  • In 2016, Arte France produced a Pola Rapaport documentary about Comăneci entitled Nadia Comăneci, la gymnaste et le dictateur ("Nadia Comăneci: The Gymnast and the Dictator").
  • In 1984, Comăneci was the subject of a biopic television film, Nadia. The film was developed without her involvement (although the content was described to her by others). She later stated publicly that the producers never made contact with her: "I sincerely don't even want to see it; I feel so badly about it. It distorts my life so totally."
  • In 2012, Universal Pictures chose Comăneci to dub Granny Norma in Romanian in the animated movie The Lorax.
  • In 2021, Stejărel Olaru published in Romanian a biographical volume, Nadia și Securitatea ("Nadia and the Securitate"), at Epica Publishing House.

See also

Notes

  1. UK: /ˌkɒməˈnɛtʃ(i)/ KOM-ə-NETCH(-ee), US: /ˈkoʊməniːtʃ, ˌkoʊməˈniːtʃ/ KOH-mə-neech, -⁠NEECH, Romanian: [ˈnadi.a koməˈnetʃʲ] .
  2. Valid for the 2022–2024 Code of Points

References

Citations

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  2. Carlson, Jenni (July 31, 2013). "Nadia Comaneci feels at home in Oklahoma". The Oklahoman. Retrieved March 15, 2014.
  3. "Comaneci". Collins English Dictionary. HarperCollins. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
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  5. Gymnast Nadia Comăneci Became the Queen of the 1976 Montreal Games when she was Awarded the First Perfect Score.
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  7. "Head over heels". The Guardian. Retrieved January 8, 2022. In the early to mid-70s, with ambassadors like Korbut and Comaneci, gymnastics was at its popular peak.
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  104. Gloria Sauciuc- Cinemagia – 20 ani de magie de la primul film dublat în limba română
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Cited sources

Further reading

External links

Video clips:

Awards and achievements
Preceded byIrena Szewińska United Press International
Athlete of the Year

1975, 1976
Succeeded byRosemarie Ackermann
Preceded byArthur Ashe BBC Overseas Sports Personality of the Year
1976
Succeeded byNiki Lauda
Preceded byBillie Jean King Flo Hyman Memorial Award
1998
Succeeded byBonnie Blair
Nadia Comăneci
Gymnastics
Honors and awards
Related people
International championships for Nadia Comăneci
Olympic Champions in Artistic Gymnastics – Women's All-Around
Summary
Olympic champions in artistic gymnastics – Women's balance beam
Summary
Olympic Champions in Artistic Gymnastics – Women's Floor Exercise
Summary
Olympic Champions in Artistic Gymnastics – Women's Uneven Bars
Summary
World Champions in Artistic Gymnastics – Women's Team Competition
1979:  Romania (ROM), Nadia Comăneci, Rodica Dunca, Emilia Eberle, Melita Ruhn, Dumitriţa Turner, Marilena Vlădărău
World Champions in Artistic Gymnastics – Women's Balance Beam
European Champions in Artistic Gymnastics – Women's Individual All-Around
European Champions in Artistic Gymnastics – Women's Vault
European Champions in Artistic Gymnastics – Women's Uneven Bars
European Champions in Artistic Gymnastics – Women's Balance Beam
European Champions in Artistic Gymnastics – Women's Floor Exercise
Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year
BBC Sports Personality World Sport Star of the Year
PAP European Sportsperson of the Year
BTA Balkan Athlete of the Year
Members of the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame
Men
Women
Categories: