Romania doesn't have a big tradition of gymnastics as a fun activity. We were a little behind in this aspect.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
We developed a system in Romania that was very successfully continued for a number of years, but I don't know if it was because of some conflict in the organisation or whether there was government interference... but somehow, they have forgotten the importance of raising gymnasts to be ready for every Olympics.
See, when I went to the Olympics in '76, the gymnastics people knew that I was good, but everybody else, after I won, everybody was like, 'Where's she coming from? Who is she? What is Romania?'
I have always been a huge fan of gymnastics.
Gymnastics is just one part of my life, and I'm having as much fun with it as possible.
Gymnastics should be popular everywhere; you just need the right person to start the right programme.
I know gymnastics. It's always been a subjective appreciation.
Gymnastics, especially in my family, is more than a sport. It's our life, it's our careers, it's our family business.
Gymnastics was my way to travelling the world.
People only see gymnastics on TV and in the Olympics at such an extreme. So it can be intimidating.
It's like someone important is missing from a party because you can't imagine an Olympic gymnastics competition without Romania.