Facts About Nadia Comaneci

One of the world's most recognized athletes, gymnast Nadia Comaneci captivated international audiences during the 1976 Olympics when she became the first gymnast in Olympic history to earn a perfect 10. Born in Onesti, Romania, in 1961, Comaneci began her gymnastic career in earnest when she met coaches Bela and Marta Karolyi in 1969. She retired officially from gymnastics in 1981, and was inducted into the International Gymnastic Hall of Fame in 1996.

Olympic History

Not only did Comaneci make history as the first gymnast in Olympic history to earn a perfect 10 score in a compulsory routine -- the uneven bars -- she was also the youngest Olympic gold medalist in history, according to Olympic.org. In 1976, Comaneci was just 14 years old, but a steely composure under pressure rendered her the ultimate competitor. In her Olympic career, which spanned two games, Comaneci won a total of five gold medals and earned six perfect 10 scores.

Struggles Under Ceausescu

Following her retirement in 1981, the political situation in Comaneci's native Romania grew increasingly unstable under Nicolae Ceausescu. Comaneci's coaches Bela and Marta Karolyi defected during a U.S. tour the same year she retired. When Comaneci returned home, the government of the time monitored her movements oppressively. She also became the victim of some dark gossip during that time, according to "Sports Illustrated," including a widely reported rumor that Nicu Ceausescu, the dictator's son, had taken her as a mistress.

Defection

Comaneci details her harrowing 1989 defection from Romania in her book "Letters to a Young Gymnast," published in 2004. While crossing into Hungary in the dead of night, Comaneci endured sub-zero temperatures and unspeakable terror, as she "tried to think about anything but a bullet in my back." When she finally did make it to the U.S., her reputation suffered further indignities through her association with Constantin Panait, a shadowy Romanian exile whom Comaneci later admitted held her captive and robbed her.

Current Endeavors

In 1991, Comaneci rekindled her friendship with fellow Olympian Bart Conner, whom she had first met during the Montreal games. Conner invited Comaneci to work with him at the Oklahoma-based Bart Conner Gymnastics Academy. Comaneci and Conner married in 1996 and now operate several businesses in the U.S., including "International Gymnast Magazine." Comaneci currently sits as the Vice-Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Special Olympics International, as well as the Vice President of the Muscular Dystrophy Association.