Nadia Comăneci, celebrated at the European Parliament on the occasion of 50 years of excellence

At the initiative of the Vice-President of the European Parliament, Victor Negrescu, Brussels hosted events on March 16-17, 2026, dedicated to celebrating 50 years since Nadia Comăneci's historic performance at the Montreal Olympic Games. This was the gymnast's first official presence in the European Parliament, symbolizing the importance of sports in education and inspiration for youth. The events included the conference 'European Values and Excellence: The Legacy of Nadia Comăneci, 50 Years On', which featured personalities from Romanian and international sports, including Mihai Covaliu and Romanian Olympic champions. Nadia Comăneci emphasized the importance of the values conveyed through sports, while Dragoș Benea highlighted the European dimension of this moment. The agenda included official meetings and a book donation for the House of European History. These events are part of the 'Year of Nadia Comăneci', dedicated to promoting excellence in sports.