I tell people, 'Have you ever been to Oklahoma? There are a lot of nice people there that do wonderful things.'
When I was 14, I had no pressure. I was a kid, and I didn't understand all the attention.
I like Oklahoma. It's a quiet place. You can work, and nobody disturbs you.
I thought celebrity meant Hollywood, that's it. I began to see that does include Olympians. People have so much respect for Olympians.
Other kids had more talent, but I was the most focused.
We used to exchange leotards with gymnasts from other countries. I don't remember who I got my most prized leotard from, but it was one with a lot of stars on it.
Of course, I grew up in Communist Romania, but I am happy to say that now our country is democratic, and prospering, since the revolution in 1989.
I am a relaxed person. I am very happy.
I like risky stuff.
I wasn't allowed to leave Romania. That made me mad. You just want your freedom. You want your space. You want opportunity.
My mother never watched me train in Romania. She wasn't allowed, it just wasn't done back then. My training was paid for by the government. My parents were not at the Olympics with me, either. I never expected them to be.
I remember everything from 1976. I remember I was 14, and I remember my routines.
I did not even look at the scoreboard when my routine was done in 1976.
I thought I was going to retire at 20, and I was going to be a surgeon.
You should also appreciate the goodness around you, and surround yourself with positive people.
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.
If I have a feeling of not trusting, I don't get too close.
I have a classic taste with a twist, because classic never goes away.
When you go out of your country and meet people, you get a wider perspective.
I come from a wonderful country with wonderful people.
