I wasn't allowed to leave Romania. That made me mad. You just want your freedom. You want your space. You want opportunity. Nadia Comaneci allowfreedomleave Change image and share on social
Romania doesn't have a big tradition of gymnastics as a fun activity. We were a little behind in this aspect. Nadia Comaneci activityaspectbig Change image and share on social
People always accused me of not smiling like my rival Olga Korbut, but that was just my personality. When you're balancing on a nine-inch beam, you have to concentrate. But if you look back at the footage, I was always smiling and waving at the crowd after my performances. Nadia Comaneci accusebackbalance share on social
What can you know about life at 14? I have learned a lot since, but you learn slowly. You get hit by many things and try to make sense of it. Nadia Comaneci hitlearnlife Change image and share on social
See, when I went to the Olympics in '76, the gymnastics people knew that I was good, but everybody else, after I won, everybody was like, 'Where's she coming from? Who is she? What is Romania?' Nadia Comaneci comegoodgymnastic Change image and share on social
It was my mother who got me involved in gymnastics, sending me to classes when I was six just to stop me doing back flips on the couch and destroying the furniture. Nadia Comaneci backclasscouch Change image and share on social
My parents were very loving, but disciplinarians. Nadia Comaneci disciplinarianloveparent Change image and share on social
I remember before the Olympics, I was asked, 'What do you think you're going to do in the Olympics?' and I said, 'I'm hoping I'm going to win a medal, and, if possible, it's going to be a gold one.' Nadia Comaneci askgoldhope Change image and share on social
It's very hard to get to the top. It's hardest to stay at the top. Nadia Comaneci hardstaytop Change image and share on social
I have a classic taste with a twist, because classic never goes away. Nadia Comaneci classictastetwist Change image and share on social
