Nadia Comaneci dismounts from the uneven bars
© PA Photos
Enlarge
When the 2012 Olympic Games come to London in the summer, the gymnasts will be battling for the limelight with a raft of other sports. Back in 1976, a teenager from Romania stole the show by attaining perfection in her sport...
July 18, 1976, Montreal, and the Canadian crowd witnesses sporting history being made. Those in attendance could sense something special was in the air when a 14-year-old by the name of Nadia Comaneci catapulted herself to world stardom with a flawless display on the uneven parallel bars, pushing her tiny 4ft 11in frame to the limits.
The drama came in the team event as the Romanians illustrated their outstanding technique at a time when many felt Olga Korbut, the shining star of the previous Olympics, and Nelli Kim were the ones to watch.
Few outside gymnastics would remember the name Teodora Ungureanu but she, by Comaneci's own admission, was the biggest rival for individual glory and, as a team-mate, was so close to cementing her place in history with a score of 9.9 before Comaneci took centre stage.
"A kind of rhythm builds in the gymnastics competition," explained CBS journalist Peter Gzowski, who could boast a first-hand look at history unfolding before his eyes. "Not only through each event but through the day itself and, partly because of both of those things, you could almost sense the inevitability of what was surely the most remarkable single accomplishment of the events at the Olympics."
Romania only won the silver medal in the team event, losing out to the Russians, even if Comaneci individually scooped three golds (uneven bars, balance beam and overall) and a bronze for floor exercise. Soviet star Kim would also be awarded two perfect scores, for the floor and vault, in a golden age for the sport but little Nadia had got there first and captivated her worldwide audience.
Sir, is that really a 10?
Nadia Comaneci was initally taken aback by the judges' scores
Nadia Comaneci was initally taken aback by the judges' scores
"Comaneci's performance was perfection," enthused Gzowski. "She almost attacked the bars from the mount on, her lean, lithe body whipping through the compulsory pattern, swinging down from the higher bar and almost lashing her pelvis to the lower one. Her legs were almost thrown back and over except, all the time, she was in such strong control of every muscle in her body. Her back arched like a ballerina in an achingly beautiful dismount, ending lightly and erect with her arms stretched out in triumph and a salute to the crowd."
Confusion reigned when the scoreboard displayed marks of 1.00 from the judges, simply because they had not been programmed to be able to register 10.00. Coach Bela Karolyi had to urgently seek clarification from a Swedish judge and, on seeing a hand-sign of 10, was able to reply to Comaneci's question of: 'Sir, is that really a 10?' with a resounding: 'You bet it is!'
Nadia Comaneci poses next to the scoreboard
© Getty Images
Enlarge
From that glorious moment on, the youngest-ever all-round champion's life would never be the same. It mattered little that perfect scores would follow in a steady stream. Comaneci scored a further six 10s before the end of the Olympics - three on the balance beam after an incredible display of poise and control and her appeal was confirmed with the honour of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year overseas award.
Husband Bart Conner sums up the enigmatic nature of the girl who captured the hearts of the world, earning a place on the front covers of Time, Sports Illustrated and Newsweek. "People are fascinated by the mysterious girl from Romania," he admits. ''In Montreal in 1976, she was an amazing athlete, but she didn't say much and we were curious."
Indeed, the New York Times previewed the event thus: "A porcelain figure, the 86-pound Comaneci has large brown eyes that never betray emotion. Unlike Korbut, she is a solemn gymnast who refuses either to flirt with the crowd or to acknowledge its applause. Olympic watchers may not fall in love with her but they will marvel at her dazzling acrobatic feats." How wrong that was to prove, the public relishing an air of mystique.
For Comaneci, it was always about striving for perfection, reaching the pinnacle of her sport and on the biggest stage of all. The intensive, demanding training under coach Karolyi was all satisfyingly worthwhile. "I don't do many things," she later said. "But if I do one, I do it well. I don't give half. I don't like not to be perfect."
Which is just as well, because that is exactly what Nadia Comaneci was in on July 18, 1976. Perfect.
What happened next?
Comaneci won two golds and a silver four years later in Moscow before moving to the United States in 1989 and marrying fellow gymnast Bart Conner. She is a dual citizen, retaining her Romanian passport but also becoming a naturalised American.
© ESPN EMEA Ltd
