Romania marks 50 years since Nadia Comăneci's perfect 10 with new gymnastics hall near Bucharest

20 July 2026 The new Nadia Comăneci Gymnastics Hall in Otopeni, close to Bucharest, was inaugurated this past Saturday, July 18, marking 50 years since the legendary gymnast became the first athlete in Olympic history to receive a perfect 10. The facility was built by the Țiriac Foundation and is designed to serve future generations of gymnasts. Prime minister Ilie Bolojan attended the inauguration ceremony alongside Nadia Comăneci, businessman Ion Țiriac, former tennis player Ilie Năstase, football legend Gheorghe Hagi, Romanian Olympic and Sports Committee president Mihai Covaliu, former rower Elisabeta Lipă, Olympic gymnast Simona Amânar, former boxing champion Lucian Bute, Olympic gymnast Marius Urzică, and other sports figures. The ceremony took place exactly 50 years after Comăneci's