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{{short description|American gymnast}}
{{Short description|American gymnast (born 1958)}}
{{Infobox gymnast
{{Infobox gymnast
| name = Bart Conner
| name = Bart Conner
| image = Bart Conner Olympic Park Rio de Janeiro 2016.jpg
| image = Bart Conner Olympic Park Rio de Janeiro 2016.jpg
| image_size =
| image_size =
| caption = Conner at the [[2016 Summer Olympics]] in Rio de Janeiro
| caption = Conner at the [[2016 Summer Olympics]]
| full_name =
| full_name = Barthold Wayne Conner
| country = [[United States men's national artistic gymnastics team|United States]]
| altname =
| regionsrepresented =
| nickname =
| formercountry =
| country = {{USA}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|mf=yes|1958|03|28}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1958|03|28}}
| birth_place =
| birth_place = [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]], U.S.
⚫
| death_date =
⚫
| hometown = [[Morton Grove, Illinois]], U.S.
⚫
| death_place =
| residence =
⚫
| hometown = [[Morton Grove, Illinois]], U.S.
⚫
| death_date =
| residence = [[Norman, Oklahoma]], U.S.
⚫
| death_place =
| spouse = {{marriage|[[Nadia Comăneci]]|1996}}
| spouse = {{Marriage|[[Nadia Comăneci]]|1996}}
| height = 5 ft 6 in
| training =
| height = 165 cm
⚫
| discipline = MAG
| weight = 58 kg
| level =
⚫
| discipline = MAG
⚫
| natlteam =
| level =
| club =
⚫
| natlteam =
⚫
| gym =
| gym =
| collegeteam = [[University of Oklahoma]]
| collegeteam = [[Oklahoma Sooners men's gymnastics|Oklahoma Sooners]]
| headcoach = [[Paul Ziert]]
| headcoach = [[Paul Ziert]]
| assistcoach =
| assistcoach =
| formercoach =
| formercoach =
| choreographer =
⚫
| eponymousskills = Conner (parallel bars)
| music =
⚫
| retired =
⚫
| eponymousskills =
| worldranking =
⚫
| retired =
| show-medals = yes
| show-medals = yes
| medaltemplates =
| medaltemplates =
⚫
{{MedalCountry|{{USA}}}}
{{MedalSport|Men's [[artistic gymnastics]]}}
{{MedalSport|Men's [[artistic gymnastics]]}}
{{MedalCount
⚫
{{MedalCountry|the {{USA}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Gymnastics at the Summer Olympics|Olympic Games]]}}
|[[Summer Olympic Games|Olympic Games]]|2|0|0
|[[World Artistic Gymnastics Championships|World Championships]]|1|0|2
|[[Pan American Games]]|1|0|2
| total = yes
}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Summer Olympic Games|Olympic Games]]}}
{{MedalGold|[[1984 Summer Olympics|1984 Los Angeles]]|[[Gymnastics at the 1984 Summer Olympics – Men's artistic team all-around|Team]]}}
{{MedalGold|[[1984 Summer Olympics|1984 Los Angeles]]|[[Gymnastics at the 1984 Summer Olympics – Men's artistic team all-around|Team]]}}
{{MedalGold|1984 Los Angeles|[[Gymnastics at the 1984 Summer Olympics – Men's parallel bars|Parallel bars]]}}
{{MedalGold|[[1984 Summer Olympics|1984 Los Angeles]]|[[Gymnastics at the 1984 Summer Olympics – Men's parallel bars|Parallel bars]]}}
{{MedalCompetition | [[World Artistic Gymnastics Championships|World Championships]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[World Artistic Gymnastics Championships|World Championships]]}}
{{MedalGold|[[1979 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships|1979 Ft. Worth]]|Parallel bars}}
{{MedalGold|[[1979 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships|1979 Fort Worth]]|Parallel bars}}
{{MedalBronze|1979 Ft. Worth|Vault}}
{{MedalBronze|[[1979 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships|1979 Fort Worth]]|Team}}
{{MedalBronze|1979 Ft. Worth|Team competition}}
{{MedalBronze|[[1979 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships|1979 Fort Worth]]|Vault}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Gymnastics at the Pan American Games|Pan American Games]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Pan American Games]]}}
{{MedalBronze|[[1975 Pan American Games|1975 Mexico City]]|[[Gymnastics at the 1975 Pan American Games|Rings]]}}
{{MedalGold|[[1975 Pan American Games|1975 Mexico City]]|[[Gymnastics at the 1975 Pan American Games – Men's artistic team all-around|Team]]}}
{{MedalBronze|1975 Mexico City|Floor exercise}}
{{MedalBronze|[[1975 Pan American Games|1975 Mexico City]]|[[Gymnastics at the 1975 Pan American Games – Men's floor exercise|Floor]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[American Cup (gymnastics)|American Cup]]}}
{{MedalBronze|[[1975 Pan American Games|1975 Mexico City]]|[[Gymnastics at the 1975 Pan American Games – Men's rings|Rings]]}}
{{MedalGold|1976 New York|All-Around}}
{{MedalBronze|1978 New York|All-Around}}
{{MedalSilver|1980 New York|All-Around}}
{{MedalGold|1981 Fort Worth|All-Around}}
{{MedalGold|1982 New York|All-Around}}
}}
}}


'''Bart Wayne Conner'''<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://oklahomahof.com/member-archives/c/conner-bart-wayne-2012 |title=Conner, Bart Wayne {{!}} 2012|website=oklahomahof.com|language=en|access-date=2019-09-27}}</ref> (born March 28, 1958) is a retired American Olympic [[gymnastics|gymnast]]. As a member of the US men's [[artistic gymnastics|gymnastics]] team at the [[1984 Summer Olympic Games]], Conner won two gold medals. He currently owns and operates the Bart Conner Gymnastics Academy in [[Norman, Oklahoma]], along with his wife, [[Romania]]n Olympic gold medalist [[Nadia Comăneci]]. In addition, both Comăneci and Conner are highly involved with the [[Special Olympics]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.specialolympics.org/Sections/Who_We_Are/Supporters/Nadia_Comaneci.aspx |title=Nadia Comaneci, Global Ambassador |access-date=2016-10-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141209042443/http://www.specialolympics.org/Sections/Who_We_Are/Supporters/Nadia_Comaneci.aspx |archive-date=2014-12-09 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.specialolympics.org/News_and_Stories/Stories2014/Special_Olympics_Heroes_Bart_Conner_and_Nadia_Comaneci.aspx |title=On Mats, Bars and Boards, Bart Conner and Nadia Comaneci Lead by Example |access-date=2016-10-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322112708/http://www.specialolympics.org/News_and_Stories/Stories2014/Special_Olympics_Heroes_Bart_Conner_and_Nadia_Comaneci.aspx |archive-date=2017-03-22 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
'''Barthold Wayne Conner'''<ref name='olybio'>{{Cite web |url=https://olympics.com/en/athletes/barthold-wayne-conner |title=Barthold Wayne Conner |website=olympics.com |access-date=October 19, 2023}}</ref> (born March 28, 1958) is a retired American Olympic [[gymnastics|gymnast]]. He was a member of the [[United States men's national artistic gymnastics team]] and won two gold medals at the [[1984 Summer Olympics]]. He owns and operates the Bart Conner Gymnastics Academy in [[Norman, Oklahoma]], along with his wife, [[Romania]]n Olympic gold medalist [[Nadia Comăneci]]. In addition, both Comăneci and Conner are highly involved with the [[Special Olympics]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.specialolympics.org/Sections/Who_We_Are/Supporters/Nadia_Comaneci.aspx |title=Nadia Comaneci, Global Ambassador |access-date=2016-10-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141209042443/http://www.specialolympics.org/Sections/Who_We_Are/Supporters/Nadia_Comaneci.aspx |archive-date=2014-12-09 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.specialolympics.org/News_and_Stories/Stories2014/Special_Olympics_Heroes_Bart_Conner_and_Nadia_Comaneci.aspx |title=On Mats, Bars and Boards, Bart Conner and Nadia Comaneci Lead by Example |access-date=2016-10-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322112708/http://www.specialolympics.org/News_and_Stories/Stories2014/Special_Olympics_Heroes_Bart_Conner_and_Nadia_Comaneci.aspx |archive-date=2017-03-22 |url-status=dead}}</ref>


==Early life and education==
==Early life and education==
Conner was born on March 28, 1958, the son of Harold Conner and Jacqueline "Jackie" Conner-Wolthausen (1931-2000), and grew up in [[Morton Grove, Illinois]].<ref name=okbio>{{cite web |url=http://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=CO044 |title=CONNER, BART (1958– ) |access-date=July 18, 2017 |date=2009 |publisher=Oklahoma Historical Society}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2007-12-25-0712241048-story.html |title=Death Notice: CALVIN GEORGE WOLTHAUSEN |website=Chicago Tribune |language=en-US |access-date=2019-09-27}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2000-04-19-0004190232-story.html |title=JACKIE CONNER-WOLTHAUSEN, 68, MOTHER OF OLYMPIAN |last=Gottesman |first=Walter |website=Chicago Tribune |language=en-US |access-date=2019-09-27}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://oklahoman.com/article/2529031/gymnasts-to-say-vows-in-romanian-capital/ |title=Gymnasts to Say Vows in Romanian Capital |date=1996-02-25 |website=Oklahoman.com |language=en-US |access-date=2019-09-27}}</ref> He has two siblings, Michael and Bruce. He first became involved in gymnastics at school and his local YMCA. He was later on the gymnastics team at [[Niles West High School]], where he graduated in 1976.<ref name=hs>{{cite web |url=http://www.nileswestnews.org/sports/q-a-with-bart-conner-olympic-gold-medalist/ |title=Q & A with Bart Conner, Olympic Gold Medalist |last=Goldwyn |first=Nick |date=September 6, 2011 |publisher=Niles West News}}</ref>
Conner was born on March 28, 1958, the son of Harold Conner (1931-2024) and Jacqueline May ({{nee}} Hulsey, later Wolthausen; 1931-2000), and grew up in [[Morton Grove, Illinois]].<ref name=okbio>{{cite web |url=http://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=CO044 |title=CONNER, BART (1958– ) |access-date=July 18, 2017 |date=2009 |publisher=Oklahoma Historical Society}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2007-12-25-0712241048-story.html |title=Death Notice: CALVIN GEORGE WOLTHAUSEN |website=Chicago Tribune |date=25 December 2007 |language=en-US |access-date=2019-09-27}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2000-04-19-0004190232-story.html |title=JACKIE CONNER-WOLTHAUSEN, 68, MOTHER OF OLYMPIAN |last=Gottesman |first=Walter |website=Chicago Tribune |date=19 April 2000 |language=en-US |access-date=2019-09-27}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://oklahoman.com/article/2529031/gymnasts-to-say-vows-in-romanian-capital/ |title=Gymnasts to Say Vows in Romanian Capital |date=1996-02-25 |website=Oklahoman.com |language=en-US |access-date=2019-09-27}}</ref> He has two siblings, Michael and Bruce. He first became involved in gymnastics at school and his local YMCA. He was later on the gymnastics team at [[Niles West High School]], where he graduated in 1976.<ref name=hs>{{cite web |url=http://www.nileswestnews.org/sports/q-a-with-bart-conner-olympic-gold-medalist/ |title=Q & A with Bart Conner, Olympic Gold Medalist |last=Goldwyn |first=Nick |date=September 6, 2011 |publisher=Niles West News}}</ref>


He later attended the [[University of Oklahoma]] to work with coach [[Paul Ziert]] on the gymnastics team.<ref name=trials>{{cite web |url=http://newsok.com/article/2077817 |title=Bart's Trials Conner Says Conflict Preceded Golden Feats |last=Bailey |first=Dean |date=August 13, 1984 |publisher=The Oklahoman}}</ref> He eventually graduated from OU in 1984, where he was an All-American and won the 1981 Nissen Award as America's best gymnast.<ref name=sr/>
He later attended the [[University of Oklahoma]] to work with coach [[Paul Ziert]] on the gymnastics team.<ref name=trials>{{cite web |url=http://newsok.com/article/2077817 |title=Bart's Trials Conner Says Conflict Preceded Golden Feats |last=Bailey |first=Dean |date=August 13, 1984 |publisher=The Oklahoman}}</ref> He eventually graduated from OU in 1984, where he was an All-American and won the 1981 Nissen Award as America's best gymnast.<ref name=sr/>
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He won the 1972 U.S. Junior National Championships when he was 14 and the U.S. Gymnastics Federation All-Around championship when he was 17, and was the youngest member of the Olympic team during the [[1976 Summer Olympics]].<ref name=okbio/> He also won a team all-around gold medal at the [[1975 Pan American Games]].<ref name=sr>{{cite web |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/co/bart-conner-1.html |title=Bart Conner |publisher=SR Olympic Sports |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160622060239/http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/co/bart-conner-1.html |archive-date=2016-06-22}}</ref>
He won the 1972 U.S. Junior National Championships when he was 14 and the U.S. Gymnastics Federation All-Around championship when he was 17, and was the youngest member of the Olympic team during the [[1976 Summer Olympics]].<ref name=okbio/> He also won a team all-around gold medal at the [[1975 Pan American Games]].<ref name=sr>{{cite web |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/co/bart-conner-1.html |title=Bart Conner |publisher=SR Olympic Sports |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160622060239/http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/co/bart-conner-1.html |archive-date=2016-06-22}}</ref>


Although he qualified for the 1980 Summer Olympics, he was unable to participate due to the [[1980 Summer Olympics boycott|boycott]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Caroccioli |first1=Tom |last2=Caroccioli |first2=Jerry |title=Boycott: Stolen Dreams of the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games |year=2008 |publisher=New Chapter Press |location=Highland Park, IL |isbn=978-0942257403 |pages=243–253}}</ref> Four years later, in the [[1984 Summer Olympic Games|1984 Summer Olympics]], he won two gold medals for the [[Gymnastics at the 1984 Summer Olympics – Men's artistic team all-around|team all-around]] and for the [[Gymnastics at the 1984 Summer Olympics – Men's parallel bars|men's parallel bars]].<ref name=okbio/> His win on the parallel bars helped the U.S. win its first men's Olympic gymnastic gold medal in 80 years.<ref name=latp>{{cite web |url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/more/la-1984_olympics13_k44u6gnc-photo.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828112237/http://www.latimes.com/sports/more/la-1984_olympics13_k44u6gnc-photo.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2016-08-28 |title=1984 Summer Olympic Games |work=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> He also demonstrated an original move called the "Conner spin" during the 1984 Olympics.<ref name=sr/>
Although he qualified for the 1980 Summer Olympics, he was unable to participate due to the [[1980 Summer Olympics boycott|boycott]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Caroccioli |first1=Tom |last2=Caroccioli |first2=Jerry |title=Boycott: Stolen Dreams of the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games |year=2008 |publisher=New Chapter Press |location=Highland Park, IL |isbn=978-0942257403 |pages=243–253}}</ref> Four years later, in the [[1984 Summer Olympic Games|1984 Summer Olympics]], he won two gold medals for the [[Gymnastics at the 1984 Summer Olympics – Men's artistic team all-around|team all-around]] and for the [[Gymnastics at the 1984 Summer Olympics – Men's parallel bars|men's parallel bars]].<ref name=okbio/> His win on the parallel bars helped the U.S. win its first men's Olympic gymnastic gold medal in 80 years.<ref name=latp>{{cite web |url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/more/la-1984_olympics13_k44u6gnc-photo.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828112237/http://www.latimes.com/sports/more/la-1984_olympics13_k44u6gnc-photo.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2016-08-28 |title=1984 Summer Olympic Games |work=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> He demonstrated an original move called the "Conner spin" during the 1984 Olympics.<ref name=sr/> He appeared as "Bart Taylor" in the 1986 film ''[[Rad (film)|Rad]]''.

He also acted in the movie [[Rad (film)|Rad]].


==Honors==
==Honors==
Conner is a highly decorated gymnast who has won "medals at every level of national and international competition." Some of his honors include "induction into the USOC Olympic Hall of Fame (1991), the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame (1996), Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame (1997), and the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame (1997)."<ref name=okbio/> While Connor did not compete in the 1980 games, he was one of 461 athletes to receive a [[List of Congressional Gold Medal recipients|Congressional Gold Medal]] many years later.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Caroccioli |first1=Tom |last2=Caroccioli |first2=Jerry |title=Boycott: Stolen Dreams of the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games |year=2008 |publisher=New Chapter Press |location=Highland Park, IL |isbn=978-0942257403 |pages=243–253}}</ref>
Conner is a highly decorated gymnast who has won "medals at every level of national and international competition." Some of his honors include "induction into the USOC Olympic Hall of Fame (1991), the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame (1996), Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame (1997), and the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame (1997)."<ref name=okbio/> While Conner did not compete in the 1980 games, he was one of 461 athletes to receive a [[List of Congressional Gold Medal recipients|Congressional Gold Medal]] many years later.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Caroccioli |first1=Tom |last2=Caroccioli |first2=Jerry |title=Boycott: Stolen Dreams of the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games |year=2008 |publisher=New Chapter Press |location=Highland Park, IL |isbn=978-0942257403 |pages=243–253}}</ref>


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
On November 27, 1989, [[Nadia Comăneci]], the famous Romanian gymnast Conner had met at the 1976 Montreal games, [[Defection#International politics|defected from Romania with a group of other Romanians]]. In January 1990, when Conner read in the newspaper that she was scheduled to be interviewed on ''[[The Pat Sajak Show]]'', he contacted the producer and arranged to make a guest appearance on the show.<ref name="scoop">{{cite web |url=http://newsok.com/article/2304764 |title=Bart Gets The Scoop On Nadia |access-date=August 19, 2016 |last=Rohde |first=John |date=January 24, 1990 |publisher=[[The Oklahoman]]}}</ref> Conner liked the idea of surprising Comăneci: "I'm thinking if she's going to be on Sajak, I might as well go out there and say, 'Hey, Nads,' " <ref name="scoop" /> Actually, Comăneci was in an abusive relationship with the person who had led the escape group and who was acting as her current manager and promoter. Conner sensed her fear of this person and reached out to help. According to a 1996 ''New York Times'' article, "He helped make the connections that eventually led to her escape from that abusive relationship, and a new life in Montreal with a Romanian rugby coach and his family. For a year, they were phone pals."<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1996/04/05/sports/2-gymnasts-flip-and-fall-for-each-other.html 2 Gymnasts Flip and Fall for Each Other], ''New York Times'' (archives), Robert Lipsyte, April 5, 1996.</ref>
On November 27, 1989, [[Nadia Comăneci]], the famous Romanian gymnast Conner had met at the 1976 Montreal games, [[Defection#International politics|defected from Romania with a group of other Romanians]]. In January 1990, when Conner read in the newspaper that she was scheduled to be interviewed on ''[[The Pat Sajak Show]]'', he contacted the producer and arranged to make a guest appearance on the show.<ref name="scoop">{{cite web |url=http://newsok.com/article/2304764 |title=Bart Gets The Scoop On Nadia |access-date=August 19, 2016 |last=Rohde |first=John |date=January 24, 1990 |publisher=[[The Oklahoman]]}}</ref> Conner liked the idea of surprising Comăneci: "I'm thinking if she's going to be on Sajak, I might as well go out there and say, 'Hey, Nads,' " <ref name="scoop" /> Actually, Comăneci was in an abusive relationship with the person who had led the escape group and who was acting as her current manager and promoter. Conner sensed her fear of this person and reached out to help. According to a 1996 ''New York Times'' article, "He helped make the connections that eventually led to her escape from that abusive relationship, and a new life in Montreal with a Romanian rugby coach and his family. For a year, they were phone pals."<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1996/04/05/sports/2-gymnasts-flip-and-fall-for-each-other.html 2 Gymnasts Flip and Fall for Each Other], ''New York Times'' (archives), Robert Lipsyte, April 5, 1996.</ref>


Later in 1990, Conner interviewed her for [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]. A few months later, Conner was invited to her 29th birthday party, after which they developed a long-distance friendship for a few years. When a mutual friend died in an accident in 1991, Conner invited Comăneci to come to Oklahoma to help him run a gymnastics school. They were together for four years before they became engaged. On April 27, 1996, Conner and Comăneci were married in a ceremony in [[Bucharest]] that was televised live throughout Romania. Their wedding reception was held in the former presidential palace.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20121020031214/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-72893201.html "Nadia Tumbles over Wedding"] ''Cincinnati Post,'' April 6, 1996</ref> Conner and Comăneci have one child, a son named Dylan Paul Conner who was born on June 3, 2006, in [[Oklahoma City]], Oklahoma.<ref>[http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,1201186,00.html "Nadia Comăneci, Bart Conner Have a Boy] People, June 6, 2006</ref><ref>[http://jurnalul.ro/vechiul-site/old-site/english-version/former-gymnasts-nadia-comaneci-and-bart-conner-baptized-their-first-child-dylan-paul-13602.html "Former Gymnasts Nadia Comăneci and Bart Conner Baptized Their First Child, Dylan Paul"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726194240/http://jurnalul.ro/vechiul-site/old-site/english-version/former-gymnasts-nadia-comaneci-and-bart-conner-baptized-their-first-child-dylan-paul-13602.html |date=2014-07-26 }} Catalina Iancu, ''Jurnalul National,'' August 28, 2006</ref>
Later in 1990, Conner interviewed her for [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]. A few months later, Conner was invited to her 29th birthday party, after which they developed a long-distance friendship. When a mutual friend died in an accident in 1991, Conner invited Comăneci to come to Oklahoma to help him run a gymnastics school. They were together for four years before they became engaged. On April 27, 1996, Conner and Comăneci were married in a ceremony in [[Bucharest]] that was televised live throughout Romania. Their wedding reception was held in the former presidential palace.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20121020031214/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-72893201.html "Nadia Tumbles over Wedding"] ''Cincinnati Post,'' April 6, 1996</ref> Conner and Comăneci have one child, a son named Dylan Paul Conner who was born on June 3, 2006, in [[Oklahoma City]], Oklahoma.<ref>[http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,1201186,00.html "Nadia Comăneci, Bart Conner Have a Boy] People, June 6, 2006</ref><ref>[http://jurnalul.ro/vechiul-site/old-site/english-version/former-gymnasts-nadia-comaneci-and-bart-conner-baptized-their-first-child-dylan-paul-13602.html "Former Gymnasts Nadia Comăneci and Bart Conner Baptized Their First Child, Dylan Paul"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726194240/http://jurnalul.ro/vechiul-site/old-site/english-version/former-gymnasts-nadia-comaneci-and-bart-conner-baptized-their-first-child-dylan-paul-13602.html |date=2014-07-26 }} Catalina Iancu, ''Jurnalul National,'' August 28, 2006</ref>

==Eponymous skills==
Conner had one named element on the parallel bars, originally named in 1993, but removed from the code of points in 2000.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.gymnastics.sport/site/pdf/mag_named_elements.pdf |title=Table of Named Elements Men's Artistic Gymnastics |date=December 2023 |website=gymnastics.sport |access-date=August 13, 2024}}</ref><ref name='magcop25'>{{Cite web |url=https://www.gymnastics.sport/publicdir/rules/files/en_1.1%20-%20MAG%20CoP%202025-2028.pdf |title=Men's Artistic Gymnastics Code of Points 2025–2028 |date=July 3, 2024 |website=gymnastics.sport |access-date=August 13, 2024}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|+Gymnastics elements named after Bart Conner
|-
!scope="col"| Apparatus
!scope="col"| Name
!scope="col"| Description
!scope="col"| Difficulty
!scope="col"| Added to Code of Points
|-
| Parallel bars
| '''''Conner'''''
| "Straddle L-sit on one rail with 180° or 360° turn"
| align=center|Removed from CoP on December 31, 2000.
| align=center|1993
|}
{{notelist}}


==Books==
==Books==
*Conner, Bart with Paul Ziert. ''Winning the Gold''. Warner Books, 1985.
*Conner, Bart with Paul Ziert. ''Winning the Gold''. Warner Books, 1985.

== See also ==
* {{Portal-inline|Biography}}


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
{{Reflist}}


==Cited sources==
==Cited sources==
Line 87: Line 102:


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category|Bart Conner}}
{{Commons}}
* {{Sports links}}
* {{Official website|bartandnadia.com}}
* {{USOPC Hall of Fame|Bart-Conner}}
* {{Team USA Hall of Fame|new_id=bart-conner|old_id=Bart-Conner|archive=20230602030554}}
* [https://members.usagym.org/pages/athletes/archivedbios/c/conner_bart.pdf Bart Conner] at [[USA Gymnastics]]
* {{Olympics.com}}
* {{Olympedia}}
* {{IMDb name}}
* [http://www.voicesofoklahoma.com/interview/conner-bart/ Voices of Oklahoma interview with Bart Conner.] First person interview conducted on February 28, 2013, with Bart Conner.
* {{Official website|https://www.bartandnadia.com/|Bart Conner and Nadia Comaneci official website}}
* [http://www.voicesofoklahoma.com/interview/conner-bart/ Voices of Oklahoma interview with Bart Conner.] First person interview conducted on February 28, 2013, with Bart Conner.
* {{IMDb name|175123}}


'''Video clips''':
'''Video clips''':
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* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1Jpb6Qukkg Nadia Comaneci and Bart Conner, 11 Olympic Medals in this Olympic Family] – [[International Olympic Committee|The Olympic Channel]], 2016
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1Jpb6Qukkg Nadia Comaneci and Bart Conner, 11 Olympic Medals in this Olympic Family] – [[International Olympic Committee|The Olympic Channel]], 2016


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{{Nadia Comăneci}}
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{{Footer USA Gymnastics 1984 Summer Olympics}}
{{Olympic champions artistic gymnastics Men TC|1984}}
{{Olympic champions artistic gymnastics Men TC|1984}}
{{Footer Olympic Champions Parallel Bars Men}}
{{Footer Olympic Champions Parallel Bars Men}}
{{Footer USA Gymnastics 1976 Summer Olympics}}
{{Footer USA Gymnastics 1980 Summer Olympics}}
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{{Footer USA Gymnastics 1984 Summer Olympics}}
{{NavigationWorldChampionsArtisticGymnasticsMen'sParallelBars}}
{{NavigationWorldChampionsArtisticGymnasticsMen'sParallelBars}}
{{International Gymnastics Hall of Fame members}}
{{International Gymnastics Hall of Fame members}}
{{Nissen-Emery Award}}
{{Nissen-Emery Award}}
{{Navboxes
|title = NCAA Championships for Bart Conner
|titlestyle = {{CollegePrimaryStyle|Oklahoma Sooners|color=white}}
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|list =
{{Footer NCAA Gymnastics All-Around Champions (Men)}}
{{Footer NCAA Gymnastics All-Around Champions (Men)}}
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}}
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{{Nadia Comăneci}}

{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


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[[Category:Oklahoma Sooners men's gymnasts]]
[[Category:Oklahoma Sooners men's gymnasts]]
[[Category:Olympic gold medalists for the United States in gymnastics]]
[[Category:Olympic gold medalists for the United States in gymnastics]]
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[[Category:Pan American Games medalists in gymnastics]]
[[Category:Special Olympics]]
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[[Category:Gymnasts at the 1975 Pan American Games]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 1975 Pan American Games]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 1975 Pan American Games]]
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[[Category:Pan American Games bronze medalists for the United States in gymnastics]]
[[Category:Originators of elements in artistic gymnastics]]

Latest revision as of 17:17, 14 August 2024

Bart Conner
Conner at the 2016 Summer Olympics
Personal information
Full nameBarthold Wayne Conner
Country representedUnited States
Born (1958-03-28) March 28, 1958 (age 66)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
HometownMorton Grove, Illinois, U.S.
ResidenceNorman, Oklahoma, U.S.
Spouse
​
(m. 1996)​
Height165 cm (5 ft 5 in)
Weight58 kg (128 lb)
DisciplineMen's artistic gymnastics
College teamOklahoma Sooners
Head coach(es)Paul Ziert
Eponymous skillsConner (parallel bars)
Medal record
Representing  United States
Men's artistic gymnastics
Event 1st 2nd 3rd
Olympic Games 2 0 0
World Championships 1 0 2
Pan American Games 1 0 2
Total 4 0 4
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 1984 Los Angeles Team
Gold medal – first place 1984 Los Angeles Parallel bars
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 1979 Fort Worth Parallel bars
Bronze medal – third place 1979 Fort Worth Team
Bronze medal – third place 1979 Fort Worth Vault
Pan American Games
Gold medal – first place 1975 Mexico City Team
Bronze medal – third place 1975 Mexico City Floor
Bronze medal – third place 1975 Mexico City Rings

Barthold Wayne Conner[1] (born March 28, 1958) is a retired American Olympic gymnast. He was a member of the United States men's national artistic gymnastics team and won two gold medals at the 1984 Summer Olympics. He owns and operates the Bart Conner Gymnastics Academy in Norman, Oklahoma, along with his wife, Romanian Olympic gold medalist Nadia Comăneci. In addition, both Comăneci and Conner are highly involved with the Special Olympics.[2][3]

Early life and education

[edit]

Conner was born on March 28, 1958, the son of Harold Conner (1931-2024) and Jacqueline May (née Hulsey, later Wolthausen; 1931-2000), and grew up in Morton Grove, Illinois.[4][5][6][7] He has two siblings, Michael and Bruce. He first became involved in gymnastics at school and his local YMCA. He was later on the gymnastics team at Niles West High School, where he graduated in 1976.[8]

He later attended the University of Oklahoma to work with coach Paul Ziert on the gymnastics team.[9] He eventually graduated from OU in 1984, where he was an All-American and won the 1981 Nissen Award as America's best gymnast.[10]

Gymnastics career

[edit]

He won the 1972 U.S. Junior National Championships when he was 14 and the U.S. Gymnastics Federation All-Around championship when he was 17, and was the youngest member of the Olympic team during the 1976 Summer Olympics.[4] He also won a team all-around gold medal at the 1975 Pan American Games.[10]

Although he qualified for the 1980 Summer Olympics, he was unable to participate due to the boycott.[11] Four years later, in the 1984 Summer Olympics, he won two gold medals for the team all-around and for the men's parallel bars.[4] His win on the parallel bars helped the U.S. win its first men's Olympic gymnastic gold medal in 80 years.[12] He demonstrated an original move called the "Conner spin" during the 1984 Olympics.[10] He appeared as "Bart Taylor" in the 1986 film Rad.

Honors

[edit]

Conner is a highly decorated gymnast who has won "medals at every level of national and international competition." Some of his honors include "induction into the USOC Olympic Hall of Fame (1991), the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame (1996), Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame (1997), and the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame (1997)."[4] While Conner did not compete in the 1980 games, he was one of 461 athletes to receive a Congressional Gold Medal many years later.[13]

Personal life

[edit]

On November 27, 1989, Nadia Comăneci, the famous Romanian gymnast Conner had met at the 1976 Montreal games, defected from Romania with a group of other Romanians. In January 1990, when Conner read in the newspaper that she was scheduled to be interviewed on The Pat Sajak Show, he contacted the producer and arranged to make a guest appearance on the show.[14] Conner liked the idea of surprising Comăneci: "I'm thinking if she's going to be on Sajak, I might as well go out there and say, 'Hey, Nads,' " [14] Actually, Comăneci was in an abusive relationship with the person who had led the escape group and who was acting as her current manager and promoter. Conner sensed her fear of this person and reached out to help. According to a 1996 New York Times article, "He helped make the connections that eventually led to her escape from that abusive relationship, and a new life in Montreal with a Romanian rugby coach and his family. For a year, they were phone pals."[15]

Later in 1990, Conner interviewed her for ABC. A few months later, Conner was invited to her 29th birthday party, after which they developed a long-distance friendship. When a mutual friend died in an accident in 1991, Conner invited Comăneci to come to Oklahoma to help him run a gymnastics school. They were together for four years before they became engaged. On April 27, 1996, Conner and Comăneci were married in a ceremony in Bucharest that was televised live throughout Romania. Their wedding reception was held in the former presidential palace.[16] Conner and Comăneci have one child, a son named Dylan Paul Conner who was born on June 3, 2006, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.[17][18]

Eponymous skills

[edit]

Conner had one named element on the parallel bars, originally named in 1993, but removed from the code of points in 2000.[19][20]

Gymnastics elements named after Bart Conner
Apparatus Name Description Difficulty Added to Code of Points
Parallel bars Conner "Straddle L-sit on one rail with 180° or 360° turn" Removed from CoP on December 31, 2000. 1993

Books

[edit]
  • Conner, Bart with Paul Ziert. Winning the Gold. Warner Books, 1985.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Barthold Wayne Conner". olympics.com. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
  2. ^ "Nadia Comaneci, Global Ambassador". Archived from the original on 2014-12-09. Retrieved 2016-10-16.
  3. ^ "On Mats, Bars and Boards, Bart Conner and Nadia Comaneci Lead by Example". Archived from the original on 2017-03-22. Retrieved 2016-10-16.
  4. ^ a b c d "CONNER, BART (1958– )". Oklahoma Historical Society. 2009. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  5. ^ "Death Notice: CALVIN GEORGE WOLTHAUSEN". Chicago Tribune. 25 December 2007. Retrieved 2019-09-27.
  6. ^ Gottesman, Walter (19 April 2000). "JACKIE CONNER-WOLTHAUSEN, 68, MOTHER OF OLYMPIAN". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2019-09-27.
  7. ^ "Gymnasts to Say Vows in Romanian Capital". Oklahoman.com. 1996-02-25. Retrieved 2019-09-27.
  8. ^ Goldwyn, Nick (September 6, 2011). "Q & A with Bart Conner, Olympic Gold Medalist". Niles West News.
  9. ^ Bailey, Dean (August 13, 1984). "Bart's Trials Conner Says Conflict Preceded Golden Feats". The Oklahoman.
  10. ^ a b c "Bart Conner". SR Olympic Sports. Archived from the original on 2016-06-22.
  11. ^ Caroccioli, Tom; Caroccioli, Jerry (2008). Boycott: Stolen Dreams of the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games. Highland Park, IL: New Chapter Press. pp. 243–253. ISBN 978-0942257403.
  12. ^ "1984 Summer Olympic Games". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 2016-08-28.
  13. ^ Caroccioli, Tom; Caroccioli, Jerry (2008). Boycott: Stolen Dreams of the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games. Highland Park, IL: New Chapter Press. pp. 243–253. ISBN 978-0942257403.
  14. ^ a b Rohde, John (January 24, 1990). "Bart Gets The Scoop On Nadia". The Oklahoman. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
  15. ^ 2 Gymnasts Flip and Fall for Each Other, New York Times (archives), Robert Lipsyte, April 5, 1996.
  16. ^ "Nadia Tumbles over Wedding" Cincinnati Post, April 6, 1996
  17. ^ "Nadia Comăneci, Bart Conner Have a Boy People, June 6, 2006
  18. ^ "Former Gymnasts Nadia Comăneci and Bart Conner Baptized Their First Child, Dylan Paul" Archived 2014-07-26 at the Wayback Machine Catalina Iancu, Jurnalul National, August 28, 2006
  19. ^ "Table of Named Elements Men's Artistic Gymnastics" (PDF). gymnastics.sport. December 2023. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  20. ^ "Men's Artistic Gymnastics Code of Points 2025–2028" (PDF). gymnastics.sport. July 3, 2024. Retrieved August 13, 2024.

Cited sources

[edit]
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bart Conner.

Video clips:

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