Romanians have a saying, 'Not every dog has a bagel on its tail.' It means that not all streets are paved with gold. When I began my career, I just wanted to do cartwheels.

I hoped to win a medal and hoped it would be gold. I knew I was good but didn't know I would be the one to score something that had never been done before.

I ended up in the US for a month or so, before moving to Montreal with some Romanian friends.

I know how to smile, I know how to laugh, I know how to play. But I know how to do these things only after I have fulfilled my mission.

Hard work has made it easy. That is my secret. That is why I win.

Jump off the beam, flip off the bars follows your dreams, and reach for the stars

I worked hard in gymnastics since the time I was six years old until I retired at 23 years of age.