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This is an archive article published on August 12, 2004

The comaneci salto

THE INNOVATORNadia Comaneci, arguably the most famous gymnast of all time, and Bela Karolyi, definitely the most famous gymnastics coach eve...

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THE INNOVATOR

Nadia Comaneci, arguably the most famous gymnast of all time, and Bela Karolyi, definitely the most famous gymnastics coach ever

THE FLAW

In the 70s it was nearly impossible to achieve the perfect 10 score. Besides a flawless show in the usual routine the gymnasts had to conjure up original moves which would fetch them 8216;bonus points8217; and push them towards the 10

THE EUREKA MOMENT

In 1975 Nadia was among the many Romanian gymnasts training under Karolyi for the Olympics. Despite the numbers, Karolyi could spot even the faintest flaw or the slightest fumble, and spotted this one by Nadia: Trying to swing around the low bar, execute a split leg somersault and catch the high bar, she hit the low bar and lost control. To break her fall, Nadia grabbed the low bar. Karolyi saw an opportunity in the error: with a slight change this was to be Nadia8217;s original move that would give her the bonus points and get the perfect score

THE TRADEMARK

Karolyi modified the fall to come up with a spectacular move. Instead of accidentally catching the lower bar, Nadia was asked to catch the high bar. So at Montreal Nadia began her routine on the high bar, cast it away, performed a straddled front somersault and re-grasped the same bar. The world called this the Comaneci Salto Spanish for somersault.

THE RESULT

Nadia finished the Olympics with eight 10s, three golds, a silver, a bronze and immortality

THE LEGACY

The Salto is rarely seen at major events because of the high degree of difficulty involved

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Source: Eureka: How Innovation Changes the Olympic Games by John Naber

Sandeep Dwivedi is the Sports Editor at The Indian Express. He is one of India's most prominent sports journalists, known for his deep analytical insights and storytelling that often goes beyond scores and statistics to explore the human and cultural side of sports. Professional Profile Role: As the Sports Editor, he leads the sports coverage for the newspaper and the website. Weekly Column: He writes "The Sports Column," a weekly feature where he provides sharp, narrative-driven perspectives on the biggest sporting news of the week. Podcast: He is a frequent contributor to the "Express Sports" podcast (Game Time), where he discusses evolving trends in cricket and other international sports. Areas of Expertise While Dwivedi covers the entire sporting spectrum, his work is particularly noted in the following areas: Cricket: He provides extensive coverage of the Indian National Team and the IPL. He frequently analyzes the leadership styles of figures like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Gautam Gambhir. He is known for tracking the transition phases of Indian cricket and the evolution of specific players like Kuldeep Yadav and Rishabh Pant. Athletics & Olympic Sports: He has written extensively on Neeraj Chopra’s rise in javelin, the nuances of Indian shooting, and tennis legends like Sania Mirza and Leander Paes. Human Interest Stories: A hallmark of his writing is his focus on the struggles and backgrounds of athletes, such as the sacrifices made by Shafali Verma’s father or the "silent battles" of veteran players like Cheteshwar Pujara. Notable Recent Work & Themes Leadership and Dynamics: Recently, he has written about the dynamic between Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma, arguing that personal friendship is not a prerequisite for team success. Sports & Culture: His articles often intersect with global culture, such as his deep dive into the 100-year legacy of the Harlem Globetrotters and their role as American soft power during the Cold War. The "Grey Areas" of Sport: He often addresses sensitive topics like the mental health of cricketers post-retirement, the "outrage industry" in sports broadcasting, and the impact of fan-wars on the game. Tenure and Experience Dwivedi has been with The Indian Express for over three decades. This experience allows him to provide historical context to modern sporting events, often comparing current crises or triumphs to those of previous generations. You can follow his latest work and columns on his official Indian Express Author Profile. ... Read More

 

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