Nadia Comaneci Defends Gymnasts

Original articles were published on Nov. 16th and Nov 13th respectively in Evenimentul Zilei

The mean-spirited sarcasm is the original author's doing, not mine.

Fomer romanian gymnasts, Lavinia Milosovici, Corina Ungureanu and Claudia Presacan agreed to pose nude for a Japanese magazine. According to Romanian newspaper Evenimentul Zilei Corina, Lavinia and Claudia were paid $40,000 each for the pictures they did. Yesterday, meaning Tuesday, almost all the RGF employees logged on to admire the gymnasts’ pictures, after hearing about them from the forum’s technical director, Anca Grigoras.

An upset RGF General Secretary Adrian Stoica added that “it’s true it’s their life and they can do whatever they want. What I find scandalous is the fact that the pictures taken also show the Romanian flag on their leotards. That way, the Japanese fans could conclude they’re still competing. We’re very upset by this.”
RGF President Nicolae Vieru was just as upset. “Nothing can surprise me anymore. It’s yet another proof that Romania is the land of all opportunities. Obviously they did it for the money. But not as much as it’s been rumored. What, they’re well-known supermodels now?” Once news of their ‘feat’ reached Romania, it seems that the three divas have been trying to get their pictures pulled offline.

In a interview with Romanian newspaper Evenimentul Zilei, Nadia Comaneci refused to condemn the Lavinia, Corina and Claudia’s decision to pose nude.

EZ: What are your comments on the gymnasts’ decision to pose nude?
NC: I don’t have any comments. They’re adults and they’ll do whatever they think is best for them.
EZ: They said they did for the money. Do you think that’s a good enough reason?
NC: I already told you. It’s their life. You won’t get anything else out of me because I don’t know what else to say.
EZ: There are people who feel this will affect the image of Romanian gymnastics in the world. What’s your take on that?
NC: I don’t believe it will. It shouldn’t affect the image of the sport.
EZ: The fact that they posed with the Romanian team apparel has been brought up.
NC: We shouldn’t confuse one with the other [the image of the sport with the leotard, I would think].
EZ: Did you ever receive a similar offer?
NC: No. And to be honest, I’m not sure I would have accepted the offer if it were made.

Nadia is currently visiting School Number 11 in Bucharest for special needs children, and will serve as a tour guide to American President George Bush during his visit in Romania, set to start on November 23rd. “Romanian authorities contacted me a while back, asking me to help them with President Bush’s visit. I’m glad to do something that can help Romania. I haven’t received any instructions from local officials on what to do because I am an adult and I know what to tell President Bush. I want to give something back to my country in exchange for everything I got.” Asked if she had any recommendations to make for President Bush during his stay, she said that “it will be a short visit. The President’s schedule has not been released yet and I’m not involved in setting it up.”

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