WATCH: Nadia Comaneci returns to the gym as she shares a glimpse of her trying a skill on the balance beam

Nadia Comaneci stepped on the balance beam 40 years after retiring from the competition and hilariously complained about the beam being too narrow. Comaneci retired from the elite competition in 1984 but continues to contribute significantly to gymnastics in leadership roles.

Comaneci, 62, was the first gymnast in history to earn perfect 10s at the 1976 Summer Olympics, winning golds in the all-around, uneven bars, and balance. She continued her strong form at the 1980 Games, where she clinched gold medals in the balance beam and floor exercise.

The first gymnast to successfully execute an aerial cartwheel-back handspring series on the balance beam, recently stepped inside the gym to try maneuvering on the beam but hilariously noted that the equipment was too narrow for her.

"Haha… balance beam too narrow," she wrote on her X handle.

The nine-time Olympic medalist was seen attempting twists on a floor-touching beam and celebrating little victories.

In August 2024, the Oklahoma resident posted a clip of her gymnastics performance on the beam from the 1977 European Championships. The event that earned her two golds in the all-around and uneven bars and bronze in the vault prompted her to dive into nostalgia.

"Dreams… memories"

Following her gymnastic exploits in 1976, she was named a Hero of Socialist Labour by Romania. The song she used in her floor exercises was renamed 'Nadia's theme', in honor of the Olympian's success and also earned the Grammy in 1977.

Married to the former US Olympic gymnast Bart Conner, she co-runs the Bart Conner Gymnastics Academy with her husband. Her achievements include television commentary at the 2004 Summer Olympics and carrying the Olympic torch to the top of the O2 Arena in the 2012 edition, among others.

Nadia Comaneci was in attendance at the 2024 Paris Olympics

Nadia Comaneci at the Olympic Games 2016 Opening Ceremony - Source: Getty

Nadia Comaneci was part of the opening ceremony of the 2024 Pars Olympics, where she carried the Olympic flame in the final stages of the torch relay alongside former Olympian Carl Lewis, and tennis players, Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams. She posed alongside the greats in front of the lighted-up Eifel Tower and wrote:

"Memorable emotional moments @serenawilliams @RafaelNadal #carllewis @Paris2024 @Olympics"

When Ana Barbosu celebrated with the Romanian flag but expressed shock at being pushed to fourth position went viral on the internet, Comaneci slammed the judges for toying with the athletes' emotions.

"I can’t believe we play with athletes mental health and emotions like this… let’s protect them #anabarbosu"

Nadia Comaneci etched her name as one of the most dominant gymnasts, who won nine European Championships, two World Championships, and five Olympic medals.