Ecaterina Szabo's Biography

Ecaterina "Kati" Szabo was born in Zagon on January 22, 1967. She was
on the national team for nearly the longest time of anyone. Kati is best
known for her showdown with American Mary Lou Retton at the 1984
Olympics, where Kati placed 2nd. Many felt she should've won. But actually
Kati started on the national team in 1979 when she was only 12. For a
while, she was coached by Bela Karolyi before he defected. Kati stayed
on the national team through the 1987 Worlds & even though she was
guaranteed a spot on the 1984 Olympic team, she retired. She was 20.
She studied at the University of Physical Sports & Education in Bucharest
& earned a 4 year degree. For a while she coached Romanian greats Nadia
Hatagan & Andreea Cacovean. In June 1991 she married Cristian Tamas
& the couple moved to  Chamalieres, France to coach. Together they have
1 son named Lorenzo. Kati & her family still live in France. In 2000, she
was 1 of 4 people to be inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of
Fame.


                                     last updated: April 5, 2000