Gymnastics is great base for any sport: Nadia Comaneci

Hitting the right superlatives is a gargantuan task when the person in question is Nadia Comaneci, the Romanian Olympic champion who makes thousands of kids fall in love with gymnastics, millions for her looks, and even more for her personality.
According to her, gymnastics is not just a sport but a way of life.
"Gymnastics is a great base for any sport whatever they decide to do later on," Comaneci said.
Through a programme in Oklahoma, US, the 52-year-old Comaneci "creates opportunities" for the under-privileged, besides being involved with many charitable organisations.
"My foundation's idea is to create opportunities for under-served kids, kids who have parents who cannot afford or kids who have one parent.

Winner of three Olympic gold medals at the 1976 Games in Montreal, she was the first female gymnast to be awarded a perfect score of 10 in an Olympic event, and it still stands, something that leaves her "happily surprised".

Talking about her academy, the Laureus Academy member said, "You can bring 3-4 year-old kids, there is a mini gymnastic room with colourful equipments, we created something that's seen in US. It's a programme that gives opportunity to kids to come and play gymnastics, in States it's very popular, it's really fun for them.
"Something like that doesn't exist in Romania, it will be a good idea to have one there."

In her pursuit, she is being ably supported by her American gymnast husband, Bart Conner.
"My husband and I have an academy, we have 1400 gymnasts and about more than 30 coaches and we have a programme like where little kids come with their mummy. The mummy looks through the glass as the kids enjoy playing gymnastics.