Mutual Respect
Despite the scandal in Moscow fresh in everyone’s mind, Nadia managed to bring home a gold medal and earned the respect of both her fans and competitors from different parts of the globe. Nellie Kim, a Soviet gymnast, embraced her and congratulated her when they were on the podium. She cleared the misconceptions about Nadia’s coldness when she said, “She was psychologically prepared, not emotionless.”
Mutual Respect
Escaping The Grip
In an attempt to promote her in the United States, the Gymnastics Federation launched the tour “Nadia 81” in 1981. It was spread over 11 cities and served as an opportunity to show off Nadia to her American fans. Moreover, it provided Bela a shot at safety. He chose to defect to the USA and Nadia felt yet another deep pang of abandonment.
Escaping The Grip
