Nadia Comaneci: From Ceausescu's golden girl to American refuge, still shining

Dictators often display a weakness for exceptional athletes, whom they can use to further their political agendas. Nicolae Ceausescu was no different. The tyrant held Romania under his rule for 22 years, causing the death of many. Among his favorites was one particular athlete, Nadia Comaneci - an extraordinary gymnast adored worldwide.

Comaneci was just 13 years old when she clinched victory at the European Multievent Championships. The real uproar began a year later when she competed in the Montreal Olympics. She acquired medal after medal, ultimately bagging five – three gold, one silver, and one bronze.

In Canada, she also made history for an alternate reason. She became the first gymnast to obtain a perfect score of 10 from all the judges, an unprecedented feat at the time that underscored her remarkable talent.

Four years later, she expanded her medal collection. Although more modest in comparison, at the Moscow Olympics she squeezed out two gold and two silver medals. Her popularity skyrocketed across Romania, and Ceausescu, the brutal autocrat who annihilated all his opponents, developed a profound fondness for the gymnast.

The Romanian dictator recognized that Comaneci's triumphs enhanced his global image and boosted societal support. Expecting more, he put increased pressure on the athlete. Her every move was monitored by agents, life became a gilded prison. In 1989 she decided to escape. Firstly to Hungary, then Austria and finally she settled in the United States where she still resides today.

Nadia Comaneci celebrated her 62nd birthday a few weeks ago. She maintains an active online presence, and it's evident that age has been kind to her. She still captivates with her beauty and appears to be in great shape. See for yourself.

The Romanian star hasn't turned her back on her past. On social media, she frequently reminisces about her sports career. In the USA, she operates her own gymnastics school and in Romania, she holds the honorary presidency of the Romanian Gymnastics Federation and the honorary chairmanship of the Romanian Olympic Committee. Comaneci also engages in various charity initiatives and often attends the Olympic Games.