Born: 1972 (Deva, Romania)
Biography:
Daniela Viorica Silivaș-Harper (Romanian pronunciation: [daniˈela siliˈvaʃ]; born 9 May 1972) is a Romanian former artistic gymnast who achieved remarkable success during her career. She is best known for her outstanding performance at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, where she won medals in every single event, becoming only the fourth female gymnast in history to achieve this feat. Silivaș won a total of six Olympic medals, including three gold, two silver, and one bronze.
Born in Deva, Romania, Silivaș began gymnastics at the age of six and quickly showed exceptional talent. She was coached by Béla Károlyi for six months before his defection in 1981. Silivaș’s first major achievements came as a junior gymnast, winning the Romanian junior national championship in 1981 and 1982.
As a senior gymnast, Silivaș experienced both great triumphs and challenging obstacles. In 1985, the Romanian Gymnastics Federation falsified her birth year from 1972 to 1970 in order to make her age-eligible for international competition. This controversy overshadowed her accomplishments for some time but did not diminish her exceptional skills and abilities.
Silivaș’s breakthrough came at the 1984 Junior European Championships, where she won the balance beam title and earned silver medals on the uneven bars and floor exercise. Her talent and potential were evident even at this early stage in her career. She continued to impress at the 1984 Junior Friendship Tournament (Druzhba), winning gold medals in the all-around and uneven bars.
However, it was at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul that Silivaș solidified her legacy in gymnastics history. She medaled in every single event, a remarkable feat achieved by only a few gymnasts in the world. Winning three gold medals, two silver medals, and one bronze, Silivaș became an inspiration to gymnasts around the globe. As of 2023, she remains the only athlete, male or female, to have accomplished this in the Modern Era of Artistic Gymnastics, in a non-boycotted Olympics.
Silivaș’s success extended beyond the Olympics. In the 1987 European Championships held in Moscow, she dominated the competition, winning four gold medals in the individual all-around, uneven bars, balance beam, and floor exercise, as well as a silver medal on vault. Her performance at these championships was a testament to her exceptional skills and versatility.
Throughout her career, Silivaș also excelled in World Championships, earning a total of 16 medals, including 10 golds. In 1989, she faced significant challenges, including a knee injury and the closure of the Deva National Training Center during the Romanian Revolution. Despite these setbacks, Silivaș continued to push herself and demonstrate her determination and resilience.
Silivaș’s impact extended beyond her competitive success. She was known for her technical excellence, difficult routines, charming performances, and artistic flair. Her elegance and grace captivated audiences worldwide, and she became an inspiration for future generations of gymnasts.
After retiring from competitive gymnastics in 1991, Silivaș moved to the United States, where she pursued a career as a gymnastics coach. Her knowledge, experience, and expertise continue to contribute to the development of young gymnasts.
In recognition of her remarkable achievements, Silivaș was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 2002. She was also chosen as one of the Top Ten All-Around Gymnasts of All Time in a poll conducted by Inside Gymnastics magazine.
Awards:
– 1988 Olympic Games: Gold medal – Balance Beam
– 1988 Olympic Games: Gold medal – Floor Exercise
– 1988 Olympic Games: Gold medal – Team Competition
– 1988 Olympic Games: Silver medal – All-Around
– 1988 Olympic Games: Silver medal – Uneven Bars
– 1988 Olympic Games: Bronze medal – Vault
– 1987 European Championships: Gold medal – All-Around
– 1987 European Championships: Gold medal – Uneven Bars
– 1987 European Championships: Gold medal – Balance Beam
– 1987 European Championships: Gold medal – Floor Exercise
– 1987 European Championships: Silver medal – Vault
– 1985 World Championships: Gold medal – Balance Beam
– 1985 World Championships: Gold medal – Uneven Bars
– 1985 World Championships: Gold medal – Floor Exercise
– 1989 World Championships: Gold medal – Balance Beam
– 1989 World Championships: Gold medal – Uneven Bars
– 1989 World Championships: Silver medal – All-Around
– 1989 World Championships: Silver medal – Team Competition
– 1989 World Championships: Silver medal – Floor Exercise
– 1984 Romanian National Junior Championships: Gold medal – All-Around
– 1984 Romanian National Junior Championships: Gold medal – Vault
– 1984 Romanian National Junior Championships: Gold medal – Uneven Bars
– 1984 Romanian National Junior Championships: Gold medal – Balance Beam
– 1984 Junior European Championships: Gold medal – Balance Beam
– 1984 Junior Friendship Tournament: Gold medal – All-Around
– 1984 Junior Friendship Tournament: Gold medal – Uneven Bars