Nadia Elena Comaneci

When she competed in the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games, the Olympian became a worldwide sensation by scoring the very first perfect ten on asymmetrical bars. She went on to achieve an additional six perfect 10, and became the smallest Olympic all-around gold medalist in the world at just 14. Nadia Comaneci not only attracted attention, she helped Romania establish itself as a world-class athlete. Through achieving a feat which was impossible to achieve the sport's icon helped bring gymnastics into the spotlight of international interest. The sport also altered the perception of female athletes. Her contribution to the Olympics was so great it is that 2 of her gymnastics moves, the toe-on move and the release movement, are named in her honor. Both have been rated as difficult to the highest level. Also, she performed very well in World Championships, European Championships as well as the Olympics. This made her a legend, and she's now one of the best gymnasts across the world. In addition, she modeled and promoted sporting equipment after moving in the US.