Nadia Comaneci

I don't run away from a challenge because I am afraid. Instead, I run towards it because the only way to escape fear is to trample it beneath your foot

Of course I used to smile and laugh in 1976, but not when I was competing. Please show me somebody who laughs when they are concentrating; I always smiled.

I had a lot of energy, and my mom decided to look for a place where I can spend the energy, because I was jumping on the couch and furniture, and I was jumping on the top of the things in the house.

My marriage to my husband, Bart Conner in 1996 is my proudest personal moment.

I believe that you should gravitate to people who are doing productive and positive things with their lives.

You should also appreciate the goodness around you, and surround yourself with positive people.

Now, I have a kid, I have businesses to take care of, I have to travel. I have to sit down... and find a little time for me.

We are not coaching on a daily basis because we often travel with our charity and commercial interests.

I don't run away from a challenge because I am afraid. Instead, I run toward it because the only way to escape fear is to trample it beneath your feet.

You can't jump from little things to big things. It just takes time and patience.

When I look back, I am happy that my mum took me to the gymnastics club. I didn't join gymnastics to become a famous athlete or celebrity; it just happened - I did more than I expected, of course.

I made the cover of 'Sports Illustrated,' 'Newsweek' and 'Time' all in one week, and I didn't even know what that meant.

Hard work has made it easy. That is my secret. That is why I win.