Nadia Comaneci, the youngest all-round champion at 14 and the first from her nation to win that title, Comaneci's four out of seven 10s came on the uneven bars.
Television beamed images of the 86-pound, long-haired, white leotard-clad coming up with amazing performances on the balance beam, considered one of the most difficult events.
The nervous energy waiting for the event to begin would dissipate once she swung her body into action, performing a ballet in the air.
The routines were riveting in every way, leaving an audience of sporting enthusiasts transfixed.
After she had twirled and arched her supple body on the uneven bars, the first event in women's gymastics and completed the act with a soft landing and a bow, the score-board flashed '1.00' to show the judges had given her '10' the first perfect score in gymnastics history.
Romania's little girl went through her routine with such technical and physical skill that the judges were dazzled into rewarding performance.
She recorded a total of seven perfect scores and won three gold medals in the all-round competition, uneven bars and balance beam.
The Romanian by now a living legend returned four years later at 1980 Moscow, winning two more Olympic golds at 18 years four inches taller and heavier.
Beijing 2008 will not see perfect 10s following a change in the scoring system by the International Gymnastics Federation from 2006.
A gymnast's total is now a combination of two parts -one for difficulty and one for execution of the routine.
Now scores are flexible. The 2007 World Championships ranged from 15.250 to 16. 350 for women in four events.
Nadia Comaneci remains the template for perfection.
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