Comaneci, Conner prepare to tie knot. , USA Today, 11-17-1994

Olympic gymnasts Nadia Comaneci and Bart Conner announced their engagement. Conner proposed to his constant companion Saturday, her 33rd birthday, at the Amsteel International Hotel in Amsterdam, Netherlands, with an engagement ring he designed.

They are on their way to the World Team Gymnastics Championships in Dortmund, Germany. After the competition, they will go to Romania for the first time since Comaneci's defection in 1989.

She and Conner will perform in Bucharest's largest arena, which will be named in her honor, as will her hometown street in Onesti.

The two have been friends since Conner called after the defection. She fled with the help of a married Romanian, who, she
says, then held her hostage.

Comaneci is far different today from the withdrawn 14-year-old who scored the first perfect 10. She and Conner give clinics and host a cable TV fitness show.

There's no wedding date yet.