MINUS WEIGHT AND SCANDAL, COMANECI IS STARTING OVER

Friday, July 17, 1992

Section: SPT
Page: 1C

LINDA ROBERTSON Knight-Ridder Newspapers

MIAMI -- The last time Nadia Comaneci came through South Florida, she looked nothing like the petite pixie who had been a five-time Olympic gold medalist in gymnastics.

She was depicted as a hardened home-wrecker.

"I was only here for three days in 1989, but it was a terrible time," Comaneci said. "I look at the pictures from then and I can't believe it's me."

Comaneci, 30, who has shed 15 pounds and looks fit, was in South Florida Tuesday to promote Step Challenge '92, an aerobics competition.

Instead of the stern look she had as a 14-year-old earning perfect 10s, or the calloused look of a 27-year-old defector, Comaneci was relaxed as she and boyfriend Bart Conner chatted.

"I think people misunderstood me," she said. "I couldn't find a real friend to help me back then, only someone to sell me. But that is all in the past."

Comaneci's defection from her native Romania went from heroic escape to what appeared to be a tawdry love affair when Constantin Panait -- who had helped her cross the border -- said he was planning to leave his wife and children for Comaneci. Asked if she cared that Panait had a family, Comaneci replied, "So what?"

Comaneci said her relationship with Panait -- a Hallandale, Fla., roofer at the time -- was inaccurately portrayed. Comaneci said Panait was looking to make money off the story.

"There was no romance," Comaneci said. "This was a guy who helped me defect, which I was desperate to do. Then he would charge for interviews with me. I remember we had dinner with Connie Chung, and she wanted me on her show, but Panait would not allow it without payment.

"I was afraid of him. I could never defend myself because I never had a minute away from him. I didn't go to the police, because in Romania the police are the bad guys. I think he and his wife were playing a game. He was sending her money."

Comaneci thinks Panait is back in Romania now.

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