Olympic Icon Nadia Comaneci Reacts to Romanian Gymnastics’ Sorrowful Announcement

There are few bigger names in Romanian gymnastics history than Nadia Comaneci. The 62-year-old is a nine-time Olympic medalist, with five of them being gold. Comaneci achieved this incredible feat between two Olympic Games — Montreal 1976 and Moscow 1980.

Another Romanian figure who rivaled Comaneci’s greatness was Sonia Iovan, who herself was a two-time Olympic medalist. Iovan came in an earlier era than Comaneci, with the former competing in the 1956 Games in Melbourne and the 1960 Rome Olympics.

Comaneci caught wind of the post, and she decided to share it on her own Instagram page with a simple caption.

“RIP Sonia,” she wrote.

Comaneci did not have a lengthy eulogy for Iovan, nor did she share an emotional post about the latter’s death. However, it is clear that she is sharing in the sorrow of the gymnastics community amid the passing of an icon of the sport.

As Comaneci said, may her soul rest in peace.