August 15, 1974
Dear Diary, this is my first entry. I find it a little strange to be writing this, partly because I've never done it and partly because I've never been one of those girls who would. Bela gave the diary to me... He said that it would be a good idea for me to write down my feelings and thoughts so I wouldn't stress so much because I'm training for the up coming summer Olympics.
My training began when I was six (I turn thirteen in November). I was playing in a school yard with an old friend of mine. We were pretending to do gymnastics. We were noticed by a visitor whose name is Bela Karolyi. He went to my classroom and asked us if we liked gymnastics. Right away my hand shot up. From there, I was taken to his gym to take a test. I instantly passed. That meant I was able to train with him and his wife, Martha.
The next year when I was seven, I began competitions. One that I'll truly never forget was my first year at the Romanian National Junior Championships. When it was my turn to do the balance beam, I got on it but I couldn't stop falling off. I ended up getting thirteenth overall. Bela wasn't happy but, he wasn't mad at me. He gave me an Eskimo doll and said "Nadia, never get thirteenth ever again." so I never did.
The next year, I competed again but this time I got first over all. Now I am 12 year old Nadia Elena Comaneci. I live in Onesti, Romania. My mother always told me that I'd grow up to do something great but I am not so sure. All I am is Nadia. Just Nadia.
YOU ARE READING
The Olympic Diary (Nadia Comaneci Edition)
Historical FictionThis is Nadia Comaneci's diary before (during) and after the 1976 Olympics. *THIS IS A WORK OF FICTION! WHILE SOME PEOPLE, PLACES AND EVENTS IN THIS STORY MAY HAVE BEEN TRUE, THE DIARY IS FICTION!!*