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Bart Conner
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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, Conner is a long-time gymnastics commentator, and both Comăneci and Conner are highly involved with the Special Olympics.[2][3]

Key Information

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 is of Irish descent 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 at 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 U.S. boycott against the Russian invasion of Afghanistan.[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]

Gymnastics commentator

[edit]

Conner has been a play-by-play commentator for gymnastics since he was a competitor, when he began working as a network TV analyst on gymnastics meets where he was not a participant. In 2015, after over 30 years as a gymnastics commentator, Conner joined the SEC Network in its inaugural year of gymnastics coverage. He announces meets across ESPN platforms, including ABC, ESPN, SEC Network, and ACC Network.[13]

Awards and 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.[14]

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.[15] 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,' " [15] 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."[16]

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.[17] Conner and Comăneci have one child, a son named Dylan Paul Conner who was born on June 3, 2006, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.[18][19]

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.[20][21]

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

Acting

[edit]

He appeared as Bart Taylor in the 1986 film Rad and in 1984 as Richie Halberstrom in Season 1 Episode 7 (“One Fresh Batch of Lemonade: Part 2”) on the TV show “Highway to Heaven.”

Books

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

References

[edit]

Cited sources

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Bart Conner

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from Grokipedia
Bart Wayne Conner (born March 28, 1958) is a retired American artistic gymnast who achieved international prominence as a member of the United States men's national team. He won gold medals in the team all-around and parallel bars at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, marking the first U.S. men's gymnastics team gold since 1932 and scoring two perfect 10s on parallel bars despite recovering from a torn biceps injury. Earlier, Conner secured a parallel bars gold and bronzes in vault and team at the 1979 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, and he was selected for the 1976 and 1980 Olympic teams, though the latter was affected by the U.S. boycott following a prior bicep tear. Conner is distinguished as the only American male to win medals at every competitive level, including U.S. national, NCAA (three-time champion at the ), Pan American Games, World Championships, and Olympics. After retiring from competition, he founded the Bart Conner Gymnastics Academy in , in 1984, which has trained numerous elite athletes, and served as a television commentator for events across major networks. In his personal life, Conner married Romanian Olympic gymnastics legend in 1996 following their reconnection after her defection from ; the couple, who first met at the 1976 Olympics, welcomed a son in 2006 and continue to collaborate on gymnastics promotion and coaching.

Early Life and Education

Family Background and Childhood

Bart Conner was born on March 28, 1958, in , , as the middle child and second of three sons to Harold Wayne Conner, a who worked at the Portland Cement Association before later teaching at the , and Jackie Conner (née Holsey), a homemaker who emphasized the value of sports in building discipline and sportsmanship. The family maintained a middle-class lifestyle in the Chicago suburbs, relocating to Morton Grove, where they lived across from a public park that encouraged outdoor activities. His older brother, , two years his senior, pursued aviation as a captain and achieved recognition as a World Masters Speedskating Champion, while his younger brother, Michael, three years younger, competed in soccer and before entering the electronics field at Buehler Electronics. Raised in an athletic household, Conner and his siblings engaged in team sports such as baseball and hockey, aligning with their mother's strategy to keep the boys physically active and "busy and tired" to foster positive habits. Jackie Conner further supported healthy nutrition by providing raw vegetables and dip as routine after-school snacks, habits that influenced Conner's early approach to fitness.

Introduction to Gymnastics

Bart Conner demonstrated early athletic aptitude in various sports during his childhood in , a of , where he frequently engaged in physical activities like playing on equipment and performing flips and handstands. His formal introduction to occurred in grade school classes, where he excelled at acrobatic maneuvers, prompting his coach to recognize his potential and encourage specialized training. Conner began structured practice in at approximately age 10 or 11, initially with a local high school team to develop his skills rapidly. This early exposure built on his natural and energy, channeling it into the discipline's demands for strength, precision, and coordination; his parents supported this shift to help focus his boundless activity. Under initial guidance from coach John Burkel at the Evanston , Conner honed basic techniques, progressing from recreational flips to competitive routines that foreshadowed his elite-level career. By his early teens, Conner's dedication led to participation in junior competitions, including winning the 1972 Junior Olympic Championships in Spokane, Washington, marking his transition from novice to promising national talent. This foundational period emphasized rigorous daily workouts, emphasizing apparatus work on and , where his strengths emerged, setting the stage for advanced collegiate and international pursuits.

Academic and Early Competitive Training

Conner attended in , graduating in 1976 while actively competing on the school's team, where he secured first-place finishes in all-around and events. His early training emphasized self-directed practice, including installing in his backyard and a in his basement during his teenage years to build strength and technique. Demonstrating precocious talent from grade school classes in suburban , where he excelled in like handstands on playground , Conner's parents facilitated focused development that progressed to regional Junior Olympic competitions by junior high. At age 14, Conner won the all-around title at the 1972 AAU Junior Olympic Championships in Spokane, Washington, marking his emergence as a national junior prospect. By 1974, he claimed the USGF Junior National Championship, further solidifying his trajectory toward senior-level success. In 1975, at age 17, he became the youngest athlete to win the U.S. Federation senior all-around championship, a feat that qualified him for international events like the , where he earned team gold and individual bronzes on floor exercise and rings. Following high school graduation, Conner enrolled at the in fall 1976 specifically to train under coach Paul Ziert, integrating rigorous daily sessions with his academic coursework in . This collegiate environment provided structured coaching and facilities that enhanced his technical proficiency across apparatus, preparing him for elite competition while he pursued a degree, which he completed in 1984. Early university training focused on refining routines for events like and , where his precision and power began to distinguish him in NCAA previews.

Gymnastics Career

Collegiate Achievements at the University of Oklahoma

Conner joined the University of Oklahoma Sooners men's gymnastics team as a freshman in 1976, competing through the 1979–1980 season while balancing international commitments and injuries. Under coach Francis Allen, he helped elevate the program, contributing to its first two NCAA team championships in 1977 and 1978, marking OU's emergence as a collegiate power. These victories included a tie for the 1977 title and an outright win in 1978, with Conner's consistent performances on events like parallel bars and floor exercise providing key scores. Individually, Conner amassed 14 NCAA honors across multiple events during his career, reflecting his versatility and dominance in collegiate competition. He claimed the NCAA all-around championship in 1978, scoring a meet-high in the finals and securing three individual national titles overall. In 1979, he tied for first on floor exercise, demonstrating resilience after earlier setbacks. Additionally, Conner won seven titles, including four in the all-around, and shared the 1981 award. In recognition of his senior-year excellence, Conner received the 1981 Nissen Award, honoring the nation's top collegiate . He graduated from OU in 1984 with a in , having anchored the Sooners' rise while posting competitive scores that foreshadowed his Olympic success.

International Debut and 1976 Olympics

Conner's international debut came at the 1975 in , where he contributed to the men's gymnastics team's in the team all-around competition. Representing the U.S. as an 17-year-old, he competed across multiple apparatus, marking his first exposure to senior-level international competition against teams from North, Central, and . In early 1976, Conner won the inaugural American Cup, an international invitational event held in on March 6, scoring a total of 57.20 across six events and defeating competitors from the and ; his routines included a 9.60 on high bar and 9.45 on vault. This victory, the first by an American in the competition's history, solidified his selection for the U.S. Olympic team later that year. At the in from July 18-23, Conner, the youngest member of the U.S. men's team at age 18, competed in the team all-around and individual events including floor exercise, , still rings, vault, , and . The U.S. team placed fifth overall with a score of 261.80, behind the dominant squad that won gold. Conner did not advance to individual finals or secure medals, but his participation provided valuable experience amid a field led by Soviet athletes like Nikolai Andrianov, who claimed three golds.

Mid-Career Setbacks and 1979 World Championship

Following his participation in the 1976 Montreal Olympics, where the U.S. men's team finished fifth and Conner placed outside the medals, he returned to the to pursue both academic and athletic excellence, training under coach Francis Allen and refining his routines amid the era's intense competition from Soviet and East German gymnasts who dominated the sport. This period represented a transitional phase for Conner, as he sought to translate collegiate prowess— including multiple NCAA titles—into international breakthroughs, navigating the physical and technical demands of elite-level apparatus work without the individual accolades that had eluded American men at prior world championships. The 1979 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, held in , from December 4 to 8, marked Conner's pivotal achievement during this mid-career stretch. Competing on , he secured the gold medal on , executing a routine that highlighted his strength and precision, becoming the first U.S. male gymnast to win an individual apparatus title at the world level. He also earned bronze medals on vault and as part of the U.S. team, which placed third overall, contributing to a total of three medals for the American squad alongside teammate Thomas's exercise gold. Earlier in 1979, Conner had won gold on at the , further demonstrating his versatility and marking dual firsts for American men in major international events. These victories signified a rare U.S. resurgence in men's , where individual golds had previously been scarce against state-sponsored programs from countries, and underscored Conner's resilience in overcoming the sport's grueling progression from prospect to world champion.

1980 Olympic Boycott and Recovery

Conner qualified for the 1980 Olympic gymnastics team following the Olympic Trials held in June 1980, despite sustaining a torn bicep tendon on the rings during his first routine, which he completed by wrapping the arm and persisting through the competition. The , under President , boycotted the Summer Olympics scheduled for July 19 to August 3, 1980, in protest of the Soviet Union's December 1979 invasion of , barring the 461 selected American athletes, including the gymnastics team, from participation. The boycott announcement stunned Conner, who at age 22 had already gained experience from the 1976 and viewed the Moscow Games as a prime opportunity following his 1979 world championship success, though he channeled the disappointment into extended preparation for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. His 1980 bicep injury necessitated a prolonged recovery period, limiting international competition and shifting focus to collegiate events at the , where he maintained competitive form amid the setback. In late 1983, Conner suffered a second bicep tendon tear during training, undergoing arthroscopic on approximately December 6, 1983, in performed by Dr. Lonnie Paulos, which repaired the new injury while addressing scar tissue from the 1980 damage. Intensive followed, enabling a full return to training by early 1984 and qualification for the Olympic team, marking his recovery from both the boycott's interruption and successive injuries. This resilience positioned him for individual and team successes at the 1984 Games, underscoring his adaptability after the 1980 disruptions.

1984 Olympic Triumph

At the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, Bart Conner contributed to the United States men's gymnastics team's first-ever gold medal in the team all-around competition, held from July 29 to July 31, scoring a total of 591.400 points ahead of China's 582.350 and Japan's 581.225. The U.S. team, consisting of Conner, Tim Daggett, Mitch Gaylord, Jim Hartung, Scott Johnson, and Peter Vidmar, capitalized on the absence of the Soviet Union and other Eastern Bloc nations due to their boycott, though the Americans delivered strong performances across apparatuses, with Conner posting competitive scores including a 10.0 on parallel bars during the team event. This victory marked a historic breakthrough for American men's gymnastics, ending decades without a team Olympic title. In the individual apparatus finals on August 4, Conner secured his second on , earning a of 10.0 for his optional routine, which featured the signature Conner Spin—a one-handed heist mount transitioning to a handstand. This performance edged out Japan's Nobuyuki Kajitani (9.95) and teammate (9.90), highlighting Conner's technical precision and recovery from prior biceps injuries that had sidelined him for years. The gold underscored his specialization in the event, where he had previously excelled at the 1979 World Championships, and solidified his status as a top American gymnast amid a field diminished by the but still competitive with nations like , , and .

Post-Competitive Contributions

Broadcasting and Commentary Role

Following his retirement from competitive , Bart Conner transitioned into broadcasting, drawing on his degree in and from the , earned in 1984, to establish a career in sports commentary. He began providing color commentary for events, securing an exclusive contract with ABC's Wide World of Sports to analyze competitions. Over the subsequent decades, Conner has served as an expert announcer for every major U.S. television network, including , , and , covering international meets, NCAA championships, and Olympic trials. His insights, informed by personal experience as a two-time Olympic gold medalist, emphasize technical execution, athlete preparation, and event scoring. In 2015, Conner joined the as a lead commentator for its inaugural season of NCAA women's coverage, partnering with and ABC for regular-season broadcasts and postseason events. By 2022, he reported over 40 years in the role, crediting his academic training for enhancing storytelling and analysis during live telecasts. Conner has contributed to Olympic broadcasts, including analysis of U.S. team performances, and occasionally collaborates with his wife, , on retrospective commentary for events like the 1976 Montreal Olympics. Through his , Perfect 10 Productions, founded post-1984 Olympics, Conner has produced -focused television specials and documentaries, amplifying coverage of the sport during periods of limited mainstream interest. His work has helped promote women's collegiate , aligning with growth in viewership from niche audiences in the to broader SEC and platforms by the 2010s. Conner's commentary style prioritizes factual breakdown of routines over , reflecting his firsthand knowledge of training rigors and competitive pressures.

Coaching, Academy, and Business Ventures

Following his retirement from competition after the , Conner partnered with his longtime coach Paul Ziert to found the Bart Conner Gymnastics Academy in . The facility, co-managed with his wife , spans a large complex equipped for comprehensive training and hosts recreational classes, competitive programs for boys and girls, preschool sessions, birthday parties, and summer camps. It has developed numerous athletes, including those who advanced to collegiate programs such as the gymnastics team. Under the umbrella of Paul Ziert and Associates, Conner co-owns multiple -oriented businesses, encompassing athlete management, event production, and media ventures. In 1996, Conner and Ziert established Grips, Etc., a supplier of gymnastics grips, apparel, and equipment, with operations based in a dedicated factory and office in Norman. That same year, Ziert acquired International Gymnast magazine, for which Conner serves as associate publisher, contributing to its coverage of global competitions and athlete profiles. These enterprises reflect Conner's commitment to sustaining the sport's infrastructure beyond elite competition.

Philanthropic Involvement

Conner serves on the of International, where he has been involved for over 40 years, traveling globally to promote sports training and competitions for individuals with intellectual disabilities. He has also participated in high-profile events, such as sharing his commitment to the organization in media appearances alongside his wife, . In addition, Conner is a member of the for the (MDA), with service dating back at least to the early 2000s, including eight years by 2008, focusing on and for research and support. He has volunteered extensively with the MDA, contributing to telethons and initiatives aimed at enhancing independence for those affected. Conner supports the Blue Heron Foundation, an organization providing higher education, medical treatments, and community programs, as a donor since 2004 jointly with Comăneci. He also serves on the Board of Directors for Creative Oklahoma, which advances creativity and innovation in education, commerce, and culture within the state. Jointly with Comăneci, Conner backs the Laureus Academy's use of sports to drive social change and the Nadia Comăneci Foundation's programs in sports, education, and family support, reflecting their shared emphasis on leveraging athletic platforms for broader humanitarian efforts.

Personal Life

Relationship and Marriage to Nadia Comăneci

Bart Conner and first met on March 28, 1976, during the American Cup competition at in , where both won silver medals in the all-around event. At the time, Conner was a 17-year-old American gymnast, while , aged 14, was the Romanian prodigy who would soon achieve fame at the Olympics later that year; their post-event , prompted by a photographer, was captured in a widely circulated image. The pair maintained sporadic contact through circles over the ensuing years but did not pursue a romantic relationship until reconnecting in 1991, following Comăneci's defection from in late 1989. They began dating shortly thereafter, with Conner supporting Comăneci's adjustment to life in the United States; the relationship deepened over four years, leading to an engagement announced in November 1994. Conner and Comăneci married on April 27, 1996, in , , in a televised religious ceremony at a , preceded by a civil rite the previous day on April 26. The event, attended by family and friends, symbolized a union of two Olympic champions from opposing Cold War-era nations, with Conner, then 38, and Comăneci, 34, committing amid her post-defection resettlement. Their partnership has since centered on shared professional endeavors in coaching and promotion, including operations at the Bart Conner Gymnastics Academy in .

Family and Adoption

Conner and his wife, , welcomed their only child, son Dylan Paul Conner, on June 3, 2006, in an hospital. The delivery occurred via cesarean section at 10:26 a.m., with Dylan arriving three weeks premature, weighing 4 pounds 10 ounces and measuring 17 inches long. Originally due July 18, the infant was reported healthy despite the early arrival, prompting Comăneci and Conner to note his early muscle definition as a nod to their gymnastic heritage. The couple, married since April 27, 1996, in Bucharest, Romania, raised Dylan in , where they co-own and operate the Bart Conner Academy. They have maintained privacy around Dylan's upbringing, focusing family life amid their international travel for promotions and philanthropy, including involvement. No additional children or records are associated with the family.

Assistance in Comăneci's Defection

In November 1989, amid mounting unrest in under the Ceaușescu regime, defected by crossing the border into with a small group organized by Romanian émigré Constantin Panait, reaching the in shortly thereafter. Panait, who had facilitated the escape through smugglers involving a perilous nighttime trek across frozen terrain and barbed wire, initially positioned himself as her protector and agent upon arrival. However, he soon exerted control, confining her to his home, isolating her from outside contact, and subjecting her to verbal and emotional abuse, effectively holding her captive for approximately three months. Bart Conner, whom Comăneci had first met during competitions in 1976 and who had followed her news via media reports, became aware of her predicament through shared contacts in the community. In early 1990, Conner intervened by offering direct support, including arranging for her away from Panait and connecting her with legal and professional resources to secure her independence and asylum status in the U.S. This assistance culminated in public appearances, such as a January 1990 episode of where Conner appeared alongside Comăneci and Panait, signaling her emerging autonomy. Conner's role was pivotal in extricating her from what she later described as trading one form of captivity for another, enabling her to rebuild her life free from Panait's influence. By mid-1990, Comăneci had fully distanced herself from Panait, crediting Conner's timely involvement for providing emotional and practical guidance during a vulnerable period marked by media scrutiny and adjustment to life in exile. This episode underscored the challenges of defection beyond the border crossing, including exploitative relationships facilitated by intermediaries, and highlighted Conner's commitment rooted in their longstanding acquaintance within international gymnastics circles.

Awards, Honors, and Legacy

Major Gymnastics Accolades

Conner won two gold medals at the in , contributing to the men's all-around victory and claiming the individual title with a perfect score of 10.0, the first U.S. men's apparatus gold since 1932. At the 1979 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in , he secured the gold medal, alongside bronze medals on vault and in the event. On the domestic front, Conner captured the American Cup all-around title three times, in 1976, 1980, and 1981, establishing himself as a dominant force in U.S. . In collegiate competition for the , he garnered 13 NCAA All-American honors across multiple events and apparatuses, helping secure team successes while earning individual accolades that marked him as the first American male gymnast to claim gold medals at every competitive level from NCAA to Olympics. These accomplishments positioned Conner as the most decorated male gymnast in history at the time.

Inductions and Non-Competitive Recognitions

Conner was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1991, recognizing his Olympic achievements and contributions to American sports. In 1996, he entered the Hall of Fame for his pioneering role in elevating U.S. men's . Conner became the first American gymnast inducted into the in 1997, honoring his status as the most accomplished U.S. male gymnast at the time. That same year, he was inducted into the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame, acknowledging his roots and successes from the state. In 2012, Conner received induction into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame through the Oklahoma Heritage Association, celebrating his statewide impact beyond athletics. Among non-competitive recognitions, Conner and his wife were jointly awarded the 2019 Musial Lifetime Achievement Award by the Musial Awards organization, citing their excellence in athletics, sportsmanship, generosity, and character.

Technical Innovations and Eponymous Skills

Bart Conner is recognized for originating an eponymous element on the parallel bars, designated as the "Conner" in the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG) Men's nomenclature. This skill involves assuming a straddle position supported on one bar, followed by a 180° or 360° turn while maintaining the hold. The element was officially named and incorporated into the FIG Code of Points, with Conner's version credited from 1993, reflecting its technical demands in strength, balance, and rotational control. Conner's routine on parallel bars, featuring this and other advanced maneuvers, earned him a gold medal at the 1979 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Fort Worth, Texas, marking the first such individual apparatus title for an American male gymnast since 1932. He replicated this success with another gold on the apparatus at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, scoring a perfect 10.0—the event's difficulty value capped at that era—after overcoming a severe biceps injury sustained earlier in the competition. These performances highlighted Conner's emphasis on precise form and innovative combinations, contributing to elevated standards in parallel bars execution during the late 1970s and 1980s, though no additional eponymous skills are attributed to him in official FIG records.

Impact on American Gymnastics

Conner's competitive successes, including the first U.S. men's individual Olympic apparatus gold medal since 1932 on parallel bars and the team all-around gold at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, marked a turning point for American men's gymnastics, which had previously struggled against Soviet and Eastern European dominance. These achievements helped shift perceptions of U.S. capabilities, inspiring greater investment in domestic programs and contributing to the sport's rising prominence in the United States during the 1980s. Post-retirement, Conner co-founded the Bart Conner Gymnastics Academy in , with coach Paul Ziert, which has trained over 1,000 ranging from recreational beginners to elite competitors targeting U.S. national team selection. The academy emphasizes technical skill development and competitive preparation, fostering a pipeline of talent that has supported the growth of American at regional and national levels. Conner further advanced the sport through media and business ventures, acquiring International Gymnast magazine in 1992 and expanding its circulation to 15,000 subscribers across 70 countries by 2006 with 10 issues annually, thereby increasing visibility and resources for U.S. athletes and coaches. In 1996, he established Grips, Etc., a gymnastics equipment supplier with a manufacturing facility in Norman, which provided affordable, specialized gear to American gymnasts and clubs, aiding training accessibility. As chairman of the board, he has influenced the recognition of achievements that promote U.S. contributions to the global discipline.

Media and Creative Works

Acting Appearances

Conner portrayed Mark Wilson, a supporting character involved in a storyline, in the 1985 television movie Challenge of a Lifetime, which depicted a mother's training journey alongside athlete cameos including swimmer . In 1986, he played the lead role of Bart Taylor, a young racer pursuing a high-stakes competition, in the sports drama film Rad, directed by and focusing on themes of determination in extreme . His role required performing stunts, though a gymnastics-related injury briefly delayed production. Later, in 2004, Conner appeared in a minor capacity as a sportscaster in the independent film Death & , a comedy-drama centered on a inmate's quirky legal defense. These roles represent his primary scripted acting credits outside of self-portrayals in sports documentaries or episodic guest spots.

Authored Publications

Bart Conner co-authored the autobiography Winning the Gold with gymnastics coach Paul Ziert, published in by Warner Books. The book chronicles Conner's progression from a young athlete to a world-class competitor, emphasizing his training regimen, challenges overcome, and triumphs at the , where he secured two gold medals. It also incorporates practical demonstrations of fundamental skills aimed at motivating and instructing young readers. No other major authored publications by Conner are documented in available records.

References

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  3. https://usopm.org/bart-conner/
  4. https://www.olympics.com/en/athletes/barthold-wayne-conner
  5. https://usagym.org/halloffame/inductee/conner-bart/
  6. https://www.bartconnergymnastics.com/about-bcga/about-bart-conner/
  7. https://www.bartandnadia.com/bios/bio-nadia-comaneci/
  8. https://voicesofoklahoma.com/interviews/conner-bart/
  9. https://www.chicagotribune.com/2000/04/19/jackie-conner-wolthausen-68-mother-of-olympian/
  10. https://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20140102/NEWS07/131229902/u-s-olympic-team-hopeful-bruce-conner-competed-for-spot-for-fourth-time-at-57
  11. https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/1985/05/12/oklahoma-mothers-prodigies-gymnast-astronaut-lawyer/62764229007/
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  14. https://musialawards.com/honorees/bart-conner-nadia-comaneci/
  15. https://voicesofoklahoma.com/assets/pdf/Conner-Transcript.pdf
  16. https://nileswestnews.org/6471/sports/q-a-with-bart-conner-olympic-gold-medalist/
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  21. https://olympics.com/en/athletes/barthold-wayne-conner
  22. https://www.usopm.org/bart-conner/
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  25. https://usopm.org/as-a-gymnast-bart-conner-was-used-to-situations-beyond-his-control/
  26. https://www.oklahoman.com/story/sports/columns/berry-tramel/2020/03/31/the-whole-thing-was-surreal-bart-conners-career-survived-the-1980-us-olympic-boycott/60408188007/
  27. https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/1983/06/06/80-olympic-boycott-still-haunts-conner-gymnasts/62843028007/
  28. https://www.upi.com/Archives/1981/03/20/Due-to-the-American-boycott-of-the-1980-Olympics/8318353912400/
  29. https://www.nytimes.com/1984/06/02/sports/a-fit-bart-conner-is-ready-for-tirals.html
  30. https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/1983/12/22/scope-sugery-keeps-conners-eye-fixed-on-la/62819958007/
  31. https://usagym.org/halloffame/inductee/1984-mens-olympic-team/
  32. https://www.teamusa.com/hall-of-fame/hall-of-fame-members/1984-us-olympic-mens-gymnastics-team
  33. http://www.todor66.com/olim/1984/Gymnastics/Men_Parallel_Bars.html
  34. http://www.ou.edu/gaylord/alumni/news/spotlights/2022/bart-conner.html
  35. https://espnpressroom.com/us/bios/bart-conner/
  36. https://www.bartconnergymnastics.com/
  37. https://www.bartandnadia.com/businesses/
  38. https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2006/02/28/paul-ziert-associates-inc/61898832007/
  39. https://www.specialolympics.org/about/board-of-directors/bart-conner
  40. https://www.bartandnadia.com/volunteerism/
  41. https://www.oprah.com/own-oprahs-next-chapter/bart-conner-and-nadia-comaneci-discuss-the-special-olympics-video
  42. https://journalrecord.com/2008/12/10/bart-conner-named-to-new-mda-initiative/
  43. https://www.gettyimages.com/photos/the-muscular-dystrophy-associations-10th-annual-muscle-team-gala
  44. https://blueheronfoundation.org/suporters/
  45. https://people.com/sports/nadia-comaneci-and-bart-conner-talk-first-meeting-and-famous-kiss-photo/
  46. https://www.chicagotribune.com/1995/06/18/head-over-heels-in-love/
  47. https://www.huffpost.com/archive/au/entry/gymnastics-stars-in-love_a_21438684
  48. https://www.chicagotribune.com/1994/11/17/comaneci-bart-conner-to-wed/
  49. https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/1996/04/27/comaneci-conner-marry-in-romania/62357132007/
  50. https://gymnasticscoolfactsblog.wordpress.com/2016/04/27/bart-nadia-20-years-of-love/
  51. https://people.com/parents/olympic_gymnast/
  52. https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2006/06/05/former-gymnasts-welcome-first-child/61879740007/
  53. https://people.com/parents/introducing_dyl/
  54. https://www.bartconnergymnastics.com/about-bcga/about-nadia-comaneci/
  55. https://africa.espn.com/olympics/gymnastics/news/story?id=2470380
  56. https://www.thelist.com/1636610/olympic-romanian-gymnast-nadia-comaneci-what-happened/
  57. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2004/jul/04/athensolympics2004.gymnastics
  58. https://au.news.yahoo.com/olympic-star-nadia-com-neci-201447341.html
  59. https://www.nytimes.com/1996/04/05/sports/2-gymnasts-flip-and-fall-for-each-other.html
  60. https://www.rferl.org/a/gymnast-comaneci-abuse-escape/31386922.html
  61. https://scholar.lib.vt.edu/VA-news/ROA-Times/issues/1990/rt9007/900730/07300196.htm
  62. https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/1990/01/24/bart-gets-the-scoop-on-nadia/62577354007/
  63. https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/1993/02/08/star-gymnasts-bart-nadia-call-norman-home/62468421007/
  64. https://www.chicagotribune.com/1990/07/30/comanecis-free-of-one-more-dictatorship/
  65. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-04-06-sp-1015-story.html
  66. https://www.ighof.com/inductees/1997_Bart_Conner.php
  67. https://www.oklahomahof.com/hof/inductees/conner-bart-wayne-2012
  68. https://usagym.org/conner-will-be-inducted-in-oklahoma-hall-of-fame-nov-15/
  69. https://www.gymnastics.sport/site/pdf/mag_named_elements.pdf
  70. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088899/
  71. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091817/
  72. https://www.oklahoman.com/story/entertainment/2025/03/18/rad-movie-1876-oklahoma-gymnast-bart-conner/82491681007/
  73. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0356515/
  74. https://www.encyclopedia.com/people/sports-and-games/sports-biographies/bart-conner
  75. https://www.amazon.com/Winning-Gold-Bart-Conner/dp/0446513334
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