Comaneci Makes Mall Visit

Five-time Olympic gold medalist Nadia Comaneci vaulted into town last weekend to promote an aerobics competition and to sign autographs at the Cambridgeside Galleria.

The Romanian-born gymnast, the national spokesperson for Sports Step Incorporated, also demonstrated exercises on a step aerobics platform before an audience of approximately 50 shoppers.

In an interview before the demonstration, Comaneci, who is currently living in Atlanta, said she was surprised at the quality of exercise facilities for nonathletes in the U.S.

"When you're of no use to the [Romanian] government, there are no sports clubs [for recreational athletes]," she said.

Comaneci, who defected to the U.S. in 1989, also said athletic attitudes here are impressively positive.

"It's great that the people here do work out. Not everybody can be a champion. Working out and doing something is what is important," she said.

Customers, who waited in line at the Lechmere store for an autograph from the famed gymnast, said they were pleased with the opportunity to meet her.

"She's changed, she doesn't look the same as she did in 1976. She's definitely older. I can't believe it's been 10 years," said Sydnee Rivera of Cambridge.

Rivera brought her four children to meet the Olympian.

Lisa Leal of Nelson, New Hampshire, said she traveled to the Galleria to obtain an autograph for her six-year-old niece.

"This autograph is something my niece is going to enjoy when she is old enough to know who Nadia is," Leal said.

Lechmere store officials said they were disappointed by the poor turnout to see the gymnast at the 10:15 a.m. signing. Fourteen shoppers waited in line to take part in the half-hour promotion.

"This is an early activity, the mall will be packed this afternoon," said Leon Sturk, Lechmere store manager.

A second autograph session was to be held at 1 p.m. at Olympia Sports.

Comaneci, who is also a spokesperson for Hanes undergarments, said she would spend the rest of her visit in the mall shopping.

The Sports Step Incorporated, which brought Comaneci to Cambridge, also sponsored a step aerobics competition that weekend. The contest attracted eight women, four men and five mixed teams of three.

The winner of the three-day regional competition will compete at a national contest to held in Chicago later this month for a purse of over $3500.