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Vanda returns home after meeting with Nadia Comaneci
Having known Vanda personally for over four years now, I can tell you that Vanda is not one to be star struck, and there is only one star that I would say Vanda would be truly excited to meet. That star would be the greatest gymnast of all time, and fellow country woman, Nadia Comaneci.
IbV: So what brought together the meeting between you and Nadia?
Vanda: I always looked up to Nadia, and for years now I would think of her once in a while, and how nice it would be to meet her in person. I was near her one time when I competed at the World’s in gymnastics, but never spoke with her then. Lately, I was turning through a magazine that I bought and realized that Nadia was touring different cities. Plans for meeting up with her while she was in Chicago were formulated and off we went.
IbV: How did you feel when you finally met with Nadia?
Vanda: When I first saw her I honestly got goose bumps. She is such a great inspiration for women. It felt a little surreal to me, I was just thankful to be there.
IbV: When you were growing up, some people called you little Nadia, do you see any similarities today?
Vanda: Yeah, that was kinda cute, I remember smiling a lot when that happened. It also filled me up with confidence when people called me little Nadia. As for similarities today, we both grew up in Romania following the same training principles, and we both wanted to move to North America after our gymnastics careers were over to develop our lives in different ways. I now look at Nadia and appreciate the great woman she has become. Nadia is a very well rounded woman, she is a mother, a wife, a successful business woman, a compassionate woman, and I believe she one of the best athletes of all time. She still looks fantastic too. I see that God is also leading me to be a woman of inspiration, of business, and a woman that loves to help others. My friends say that we share some of the same characteristics as well. It’s easier for them to see than myself.
IbV: What was the best thing for you about this meeting?
Vanda: I was just thrilled to have finally met her, and spend some time with her. It has been my dream for a few years now, so dreams do come true. We exchanged numbers and emails, so I’m sure we will see each other again, or perhaps work together on a project. Time will tell.
IbV: Anything else you would like to share about you and Nadia?
Vanda: I remember when I was four years old and I was watching television and I saw Nadia compete on the beam. Before she even ended her beam routine I was running down the hallway doing front rolls.
3 Comments
Posted on 14 Nov 2008 by IbV
by Anhelo @ 20 Jul 2010 07:43 am
by Niccole Servage @ 18 Dec 2008 10:57 am