While Nadia Comaneci was considered the greatest gymnast of her time, Simone Biles today holds that title. The two have furthered the sport by leaps and bounds. Comaneci was the first Olympic gymnast to be awarded perfect tens. Meanwhile, Biles is the most decorated gymnast with 32 global medals. They changed women’s gymnastics forever. And while it is not entirely fair to compare them, given that they come from two distinct eras in the sport, it certainly is food for thought.

There are glaring distinctions between the routines performed by the two. Where Comaneci paints a picture of poise and precision, Biles is a dominating force with her power, precision, and amplitude.

Nadia Comaneci: The goddess from Montreal

In 1976, Nadia Comaneci, only 14, performed her routine on the uneven bars with more elegance and precision than any other. It has been 46 years since her monumental performance at the Montreal Olympics, earning her the nickname ‘goddess from Montréal’. It was so unprecedented that the scoreboard wasn’t even equipped to display all four digits. The highest it went was up to 9.99.

Back then, it was a whole different era of gymnastics than as we know it now. The rules and the difficulty level of the routines weren’t anywhere near what we see Biles and her contemporaries perform. 

In 2006, the FIG changed its code of points. Now, there is no consistent, perfect score. Instead, judges award points based on difficulty and artistic merit, with only execution scores carrying a ceiling.

DIVE DEEPER

Simone Biles: The height of modern gymnastics

Simone Biles commands the topmost level of difficulty. So much so that there are four skills named after her because no one else has ever attempted them. She has nineteen World Championship titles to her name, four gold, and is the indisputable GOAT of modern gymnastics. Her routines are not only superior in terms of difficulty but also choreography.

What is interesting to watch are the stark differences between the topmost routines of the two eras. Fans often debate on which of the two, Comaneci or Biles, would come out on top, if the two competed in the same competition in their peak conditions. Unfortunately, the day will never come when we get to see that happen in reality.

Undoubtedly, both the athletes have carved out a legacy in women’s sports, and are an inspiration to countless young girls.

DIVE DEEPER