EOC President Spyros Capralos travelled to Bucharest to attend the Nadia Gala, the centrepiece event of Romania’s Nadia Comăneci Year 2026, marking the 50th anniversary of gymnastics’ first perfect 10.
The gala, organised by the Romanian National Olympic Committee (NOC) and its President and EOC Executive Committee member Mihai Covaliu, brought together more than 500 guests from across the Olympic world at the Union Hall of Romania’s Palace of Parliament.
Alongside President Capralos, attendees included IOC Honorary President Thomas Bach, World Gymnastics President Morinari Watanabe, Romanian NOC Secretary General George Boroi, and Romanian sporting icons including Elisabeta Lipă, Gheorghe Hagi, Ilie Năstase and Simona Halep.
The evening paid tribute to Comăneci, who rewrote history at the Olympic Games Montreal 1976 with her perfect 10.
President Capralos reflected on the impact Comăneci had both in Romania and beyond.
“Nadia, your perfect 10 continues to inspire all of us. We may not be able to reach perfection but we can all aim for our own version of excellence,” President Capralos said.
“The European Olympic Movement lives for moments like yours, giving each generation of young athletes the stage and the belief to reach fully their own potential.”
President Covaliu added: “We have athletes here tonight who have won hundreds of medals together. But 50 years ago, a little girl from Romania, who was not even 15 years old, did something incredible. She proved that the impossible is possible. And not only did she get the first 10 in the history of gymnastics, she did much more. She redefined perfection. Nadia did not just exceed the limits, she rewrote them.”
Comăneci was presented with the Trophy of Perfection – Nadia 50 at the gala, while Mayor of Bucharest Ciprian Ciucu announced that he will propose to the General Council of Bucharest that Izvor Park in the city be renamed Nadia Comăneci Park.
