Written by Corryn Baird

Illistrated by StoryJumper

Learning to Fly

Hi, that's me. In first place at the 1976 Montreal Olympics. You may be wondering how I got here. Well I'm about to tell you.

My name is Nadia Comaneci. (NAH-dee-uh co-ma-nec-hi) I was born on November 12, 1961 in Romania. Many years later I would become a big sister to my little brother Adrian.

When I was really little, I was hard to control. My parents decided they wanted to put me into gymnastics. Little did they know, I was going to become a star.

One day I was out on the school playground, doing cartwheels with my friends. I guess this guy saw me, cause he went to every class that day trying to find me.

He wanted me to join his gymnastics school, And I did. I practiced 6 or even 7 hours a day, almost everyday. I LOVED this sport.

By the time i had turned 13, I was competing in international competitions. At the European Championships I won gold on every event besides floor.