Nadia

Good morning, Professor!

My name is Bela Karolyi. I'm a specialist in Physical Education.

Oh, yes?

I'm recruiting little girls for new gymnastics school

and I noticed that you had...

Just girls.

Yes.

I see.

Well, they develop faster than boys.

We believe that we can train them in a normal...

I'm very busy now.

Excuse me.

Yes, but I...

Contact the central office.

That wastes a lot of time.

I have so many schools to visit.

Excuse me.

Good morning, students!

Good morning, comrade Professor.

Which of you were doing cartwheels outside?

There were two.

How about you? Were you one?

Professor, we have work to do.

One moment, please.

I am going to the Director.

All right, attention, girls!

Who would like to learn gymnastics?

Raise your hands?

You know,

tumbling,

and cartwheels.

Who likes to do cartwheels?

You, and you.

You take these home to your parents.

Weren't you one of the cartwheelers?

I wonder, wonder, wonder who the other cartwheeler was.

You know, cartwheels!

The Director wants to see you in his office.

Yes, of course.

Does anyone want to tell me who the other cartwheeler was?

How about you?

Do you wanna tell me who it was?

I think you know who it is.

And I'll bet,

that if you give her this card,

she'll think about it and fill it out.

Don't you?

Do you think it is possible for a little girl to fly?

So do I.

Good morning, students.

Good morning, comrade Professor.

My name is Mili Simonescu.

I am from Bucharest.

On behalf of the Romanian Gymnastics Federation,

I welcome you to the very first class

in the training of very young girls in a very old building.

Each of you

passed a difficult coordination test to qualify for this training.

You are very special girls,

and I wish you the best of success.

And now,

I turn you over to your coach,

Marta Karolyi,

who will be assisted by her husband.

But first,

look what I've brought you from Bucharest.

One for each of you.

Now!

Come on in! The water's great!

You're supposed to be one of the coaches,

not one of the children.

They like it.

I didn't bring you here to be liked.

Sometimes people just can't help themselves.

Papa!

Papa.

Papa!

Hold up!

It's Nadia Comaneci!

And how are you, young lady?

Okay.

Do you know what I have for you?

So...

You have a secret.

Tell me what it is.

No?

Well, let me see.

You found a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow?

No, it didn't rain today.

Well...

I don't know what it could be.

Unless...

It couldn't be that?

It couldn't be about the new school.

Yes, papa, yes! No, you don't like it.

You don't like the new school?

This new school, you like it?

Oh, yes! I love it, papa!

Look at my uniform.

It's beautiful.

We have such fun.

We run and jump into a big hole

filled with bouncy things.

A big hole filled with bouncy things.

What kind of school is this?

Fancy outfits, but no books.

No pencils, no studies.

We did that, too, papa.

But in the gym, we do all sorts of tricks.

Tricks!

That's what you do?

Tricks!

It's called tumbling.

I used to love it as a girl.

But, today,

it's a glamorous sport.

They give her free clothing and two free meals.

How bad can that be?

I'll ask around.

Karolyi is a boxer, what does he know about gymnastics?

No, his wife is the coach.

He helps her. They say she is very good.

I don't like it.

Why are you trying to make trouble?

Mama...

Oh, Stefania, you know how these schools are!

Work, work, work.

No time to be a little girl.

This could be a great opportunity for her.

Now what does that mean?

They say she could be a champion.

Well, with me, she already is!

If you do anything to spoil this for her...

For her?

Stefania,

for her?

Don't be mad, papa.

I'm not.

I just want what's best for you.

Guess.

Good morning, comrade Professor.

Professor?

Where is he?

He's coming.

Oh, dear!

Nobody came today!

Where could everybody be?

In here!

No.

Who's missing?

Nadia! Nadia!

Nadia, time to wake up!

There she is!

That was fun.

Now, shall we do some serious work, Professor?

We have a new student with us today.

Her name is Teodora Ungureanu

and she has just moved to Onesti.

Teodora is eight years old,

and she has been performing advanced gymnastics for two years.

So after our workout,

she will demonstrate her floor exercise for us.

So everyone, please welcome Teodora.

How can a little girl do that?

That's what comes from serious work.

You're the best here, aren't you?

I knew it.

Are you jealous?

I know.

It was beautiful.

Do you have a lot of friends?

Mostly boys.

Someday,

I'm going to marry the handsomest man in the world.

How about you?

Someday,

I'm going to climb the tallest tree.

Is that crazy?

I knew you'd understand.

Let's be friends forever.

Incredible.

There you go!

Bela!

Bela, get the gear.

Girls, stay here!

Hello, Mili, how are you?

Welcome to Sibiu.

Nicholae!

This is Marta Karolyi.

And this is comrade Vieru of the Sports Association.

How do you do, sir.

Secretary General.

I hear you are making wonderful progress with your little ones.

Well, we're trying.

And this, is Bela Karolyi.

Nicholae Vieru.

And these...

These are the little girls from Onesti.

Adorable. Adorable.

Bela handles the bars and the vault.