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Nadia Comaneci

Nadia Elena Comaneci was born on November 12th, 1961, in Onesti, Romania, to Stefania (her mom) and Gheorghe (her dad.)BIRTH

Nadias childhood nicknames were Hope and The Apprentice. The Apprentice because she tried and defeated everything. Hope because in Romania Nadia means Hope. Her grandparents believed Nadia should have meant Luck because the day she was born she had a rare and large birth defect, a sac of liquid on the top of her head that looked like an enormous blister, and she couldve died.NAMES

In 1965, Nadias little brother was born and Nadia was walking on a bridge with her mom and Adrian. She tripped and fell over the side fifteen meters into thigh-deep water.THE FALL

In 1967, Nadia completed the gymnastics test and started. She practiced six days a week for four hours, the only day she didnt practice was on Sunday. GYMNASTICS

One year later, Nadia competed in the Junior National Championships. She scored thirteenth and vowed to never score that low again. Bela, her coach, gave her a doll, and also told her to never score that low again. Believe it or not, she scored first place the next two Junior Championships!COMPETITION

In 1976 Nadia won the Silver Inaugural American Cup.WINNING

In 1976, Nadia competed in the 1976 Olympic Games scoring seven PERFECT tens. She won a gold medal on all-around, beam, and bars.1976 Olympian

After the 1976 Games Nadia was tired of so much work, so she left Bela. She tried all of the foods she had never tried before like ice cream. She joined another gymnasium, and slept and watched T.V. more.QUITTING

When the World Championship was coming around, Bela asked Nadia to join back with his group of gymnasts for the competition. She did.With an infected hand, she mounted the beam and did her routine. All she needed was a 9.90 to beat the Russian team and win. She dismounted her routine and scored a 9.950. Romania won!!!WORLDS

Nadia competed in the 1980 Olympics winning a gold on Beam and Floor, plus two other events.1980 OLYMPICS

In 1984, Nadia retired from gymnastics competition. She was only twenty-two, very young.

RETIREMENTShe also graduated from the Physical Education and Sports in Bucharest, Romania, in 1984.GRADUATION

On April 27, 1996, Nadia Comaneci got married to two time Olympic champion Bart Conner!MARRIAGE

2004In 2004, Nadia published her book Letters To a Young Gymnast about struggles in her life time.

WHERE DOES SHE LIVE?Today Nadia (age 52) lives in Norman, Oklahoma, with Bart Conner, and her son, Aiden Comaneci- Conner who was born June 3, 2006. She is an International Spokes-woman.

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