Renowned gymnast Nadia Comăneci will make a special appearance at this year’s Sports Festival on June 14, 2026, at the BTarena in Cluj-Napoca. The event will feature a masterclass organized in collaboration with the Romanian Olympic and Sports Committee.
Comăneci, one of Romania’s most celebrated sports figures, will be the special guest of the Sports Festival 2026. The event aims to commemorate the 50th anniversary of her historic performance at the Montreal 1976 Olympic Games, which included the first perfect 10 in gymnastics history.
“Nadia Comăneci’s attendance at the Sports Festival 2026 marks a significant milestone for this year's edition. This event comes shortly after Comăneci received the Laureus lifetime achievement award at the Laureus World Sports Awards, further solidifying her status as a world-class athlete,” organizers stated in a press release cited by Agerpres.
Attendees will have the opportunity to meet Comăneci directly and learn from her extensive experience. The masterclass will explore themes such as discipline, the pressures of major competitions, balance, motivation, and the journey behind a career at the highest level.
Comăneci has promised an open and sincere dialogue, aiming to inspire and motivate her audience. “Sometimes it takes only a few seconds to change a life. My routine in Montreal lasted just 17 seconds, but it was the result of millions of seconds of training,” she said. “I invite you to the masterclass at the Sports Festival, where I will share my experiences, lessons, and insights that can be applied in any field. It will be a sincere meeting, an open dialogue, and a source of inspiration and motivation.”
The masterclass is scheduled for Sunday, June 14, 2026, at 13:00 at BT Arena. Level 1 stands on the Cluj Arena side will be open to the public, and tickets are available for RON 95.
In July 2025, Romanian President Nicușor Dan signed a decree declaring 2026 as the “Year of Nadia Comăneci,” marking the 50th anniversary of her legendary performances at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal.
