Mutual Respect
Even with the recent scandal in Moscow lingering in the air, Nadia earned herself a gold medal, along with the respect of her competitors and admiration of fans around the globe. Nellie Kim, a gymnast from the USSR, hugged and congratulated her on the podium. She even dispelled the myth about Nadia’s lack of feelings by saying, “She was psychologically prepared, not emotionless.”
Mutual Respect
Escaping The Grip
In order to promote Nadia across America, the Gymnastics Federation, in 1981, created a tour called “Nadia 81.” Spread across 11 cities, it gave Nadia a chance to be loved and admired by Americans, but more importantly, it offered her coach a chance at safety. Bela defected to the United States, leaving Nadia once again with a deep feeling of abandonment.
Escaping The Grip