Mutual Respect
Even with the Moscow fiasco fresh in the air, Nadia got herself a gold, and respect from her competitors. In particular, Nellie Kim from the USSR kissed and congratulated Nadia on the podium. Kim dispelled rumors about Nadia’s lack of emotion and defended her by saying, “She was psychologically prepared, not emotionless.”
Mutual Respect
ADVERTISEMENT
Escaping The Grip
In 1981, the Gymnastics Federation created a tour across America called, “Nadia 81′”. The tour spread across 11 cities and showed off Nadia to the Americans. It was at this time that her coach found his opportunity to find safety – he defected to the United States. Nadia felt abandoned once again and it weighed heavily on her.
Escaping The Grip
