Nadia Comãneci Interview

Following a visit to the gym in Oklahoma City, Nadia Comãneci agreed to an exclusive interview with Romanian newspaper Gaza Sporturilor, about what it means to maintain your celebrity status even after you retire from competitive sports, about her intention to work with the gymnastics centers from Onesti and Deva, respectively, and –last but not least- about the influence a competitive athlete can have in creating a correct image of the country he/she represents.

GS: Nadia, how demanding is your super star status?
NC: So much so, I don’t even have time to breathe. Meaning [it takes up] all the time. First and foremost, I have to look good. This means training, but also spending time at beauty saloons. Then, I have to constantly keep in touch with people. I don’t know what a day where I just sit around is like and, to be honest, I don’t even want to know. I like what I’m doing and I’m happy to have an active lifestyle.
GS: Does this status have its advantages?
NC: Yes, but not so much for me, but the people/things I care about. For example, Romanian gymnastics, which can’t help but have a special place in my heart, no matter where I live. Every time we meet, I try to open a door, or bring some happiness to our gymnasts.

GS: Lately, both yourself and Bart have tried to develop a strong connection with the two best gyms in Romania. Are you planning on expanding this project?
NC: I could say the door’s been open in that direction. We worked with Steaua by setting up a training camp with several American gymnasts, who also went to Romania. We’re seriously considering both Onesti and Deva. Now everything depends on the gymnasts’ schedule, but also our schedule.

GS: Floarea Leonida, the junior who seems to be the leader of the new generation after Andreea Rãducan will retire, came to a training camp in Oklahoma. What did you think about her?
NC: Florica, as we called her, is a very talented girl , with many qualities. I was just watching her routines with Bart, and he agreed with me that she is a gymnast with a lot of potential. But there are many other girls like her in Romania. The important thing is that they are being taken care of, so we don’t lose them along the way. It’s very easy to become a champion. Staying at the top is a lot harder.
GS: Is there a possibility that the most talented gymnasts in the country will sign with American agents?
NC: My husband Bart and Paul Ziert are the ones handling this problem. I believe that you already have an image formed during your career as an athlete; maintaining that image later on is entirely up to you. An Olympic champion, for example, can always knock on the door of a major corporation.

GS: Since we started talking about an athlete’s image, do you think starting a council for competitive athletes that would work with the Romanian legislative or executive branch to promote Romania’s image outside the country would be a good idea?
NC: As far as I know, a lot of countries adopted that idea. Sports was and will be a global force. There are many examples of sports opening doors in the political arena. Incidentally, President Iliescu was accompanied by Gheorghe Hagi in New York, and the result was the one everyone hoped for.
GS: Any news on your decision to run for a seat on the IOC committee?
NC: From what I heard, several important changes were set to take place within the IOC. I’m still running for the IOC committee. I have a big personality, and once I set a goal, I can’t accept not reaching it. We’ll see.

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