A Perfect 10

We’re switching gears away from the mushy love stuff, and it involves a little history lesson. Back at the Summer Olympics of 1976 in Montreal, there was a Romanian gymnast named Nadia Comaneci. At the young age of 14, Nadia competed fiercely and after finishing her routine on the uneven bars, she waited for her scores. What showed up on the boards was a little confusing – 1.00. The crowd was stunned. The score boards weren’t prepared for her performance as they were only equipped to show four digits. In fact, Nadia had scored a perfect 10 – the first time in modern Olympics history. Nadia went on to win gold medals in the all-around, beam and bars competitions, and a bronze on the floor.

At that same Olympics, there was another gymnast – Bart Conner, who had attended the University of Oklahoma. Bart’s experience at the 1976 wasn’t quite like Nadia’s, but that’s because the 1984 games were destined to be his show. At those games in Los Angeles, Bart helped the U.S. Men’s team win its first-ever team gold – along with earning a perfect 10 for himself on the parallel bars. When it came time for the individual competition, Bart would repeat his perfect 10 on that same apparatus, winning another gold.

So what are these two Olympic gymnasts doing on this blog? Well, they are two of Greater Oklahoma City’s sweethearts – and they just happen to also be sweethearts (see, they’re married). Bart Conner and Nadia Comaneci are not only living gymnastic legends, they are living gymnastic legends who live in Greater Oklahoma City – woo hoo! And this coming weekend, they are hosting the Bart & Nadia Sports & Health Festival.

Held on Saturday, Feb. 16, this festival is a great opportunity for Oklahoma Citians to take charge of their health through activities that embrace the Olympic, Paralympic and Special Olympics ideals. This free festival will be filled to the brim with:

• Health and fitness related booths offering information on nutrition, health care, exercise, sports activities and more!
• Various Health Screenings including dental screenings, general physical fitness and smoking cessation, children's health, free children's immunizations (courtesy of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Caring Van) and more!
• Sports and other fitness activities for kids!
• Prize giveaways courtesy of The Oklahoman, including an OKC Thunder team autographed basketball; Bob Stoops autographed football; Sherri Coale autographed basketball; youth bicycle from Schlegel Bicycles; family four-pack of tickets for Adventure Sport from the Oklahoma City Boathouse Foundation and a Garmin Running Watch from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma

If that alone isn’t enough to entice you to check it out, here’s a look at what will be going on:

• Great activities for kids including the Perfect 10 Fitness Challenge;
• the opportunity to watch world-class gymnasts of varying ages and levels compete;
• An indoor rowing and kayak challenge and a fun-run in the Oklahoma City Underground (both courtesy of our friends over at OKC RIVERSPORT;
• Wellness activities including an archery challenge, sitting volleyball challenge and more from the University of Central Oklahoma;
• Activities from the Oklahoma City Barons and Oklahoma City Thunder;
• A bike safety obstacle course and free helmets with helmet decorating from Schlegel Bicycles;
• And more.

Can you believe all of this awesomeness is free? So start limbering up now, and get ready to get your wellness on this weekend at the Bart & Nadia Sports & Health Festival.