Project K: Interview with Nadia & The Secret Police Author Dr. Stejarel Olaru

Nadia and the Secret Police Today, the start of Project K, our dive into the files and transcripts from "Operation Olympia," the Romanian secret police's multi-year surveillance project investigating the Karolyis. We have the first part of Jessica's interview with Dr. Stej Olaru, whose book Nadia and the Secret Police is currently available for pre-order in English. They discuss: What the secret police did and whether their reports can be trusted as reliable primary sources The sheer extent and complexity of the surveillance project of Nadia How many people tried to sound the alarm about the Karolyis in the 1970s Would anything have changed if this had been public knowledge? Plus, transcripts from the actual files about the Karolyis from 1976, detailing physical and verbal abuse, an "atmosphere of terror," and the insistence on ignoring physicians and experts. NCAA Preview To lighten the load, we also talk a little bit about this year's very important and real preseason coaches poll, the finally-announced meet in Las Vegas, and differences in strategy at various preseason meets EXCLUSIVE CLUB CONTENT Club Gym Nerd members can listen to the full interview, uninterrupted, and have access to the original documents discussed in this episode. Please login to your Club Gym Nerd account to listen and/or watch this episode. Not a member? Join here. JOIN CLUB GYM NERD Join Club Gym Nerd (or give it as a gift!) for access to weekly Behind the Scenes episodes. Club Gym Nerd members can watch the podcast being recorded and see some of the gymnastics we discuss, plus get access to all of our exclusive interviews and Behind The Scenes episodes. Buy our awesome clothing and gifts here. We have a Ukraine Fundraiser design, all proceeds go to the CARE Ukraine Crisis fund. RELATED EPISODES & RESOURCES Project K: Operation Olympia explained Project K: Decoding Romanian Secret Police Files on The Karolyis with Dr. Simona Petracovschi Behind The Scenes: Project K Behind The Scenes: More Project K (for Karolyi) Details Donate grips and tape for Ukrainian gymnasts To follow the effects of the Russian invasion to Ukraine at Gymnovosti Gymnastics History and Code of Points Archive from Uncle Tim Growing Up at Round Lake Boginskaya Interview Aly and Lynn Raisman Interview Vanessa Atler Interview