Comaneci, Nadia (1961–)

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Comaneci, Nadia (1961–)

Romanian gymnast. Born Nov 12, 1961, in Onesti, Romania; m. Bart Conner (Olympic gymnast), April 27, 1996.

Became overall European Champion (1975, 1977, 1979); won Olympic gold medals in all-around, uneven bars, and balance beam as well as team silver and bronze in floor exercise in Montreal (1976), becoming the 1st woman in the history of international gymnastics to score a perfect 10.0, then followed with 6 more; won the Chunichi Cup in Japan (1976); won the World Championship (1978); won Olympic gold medals in floor exercises and balance beam, won a silver team medal and silver in the all-around in Moscow (1980); won the all-around, uneven bars, and floor exercise in World University Games (1981); defected to US (1989). ABC's "Wide World of Sports" aired a 90-minute documentary of her return to Romania (Mar 18, 1995).

See also Women in World History.