---
title: "Chișinău hosts special exhibition honouring gymnastics legend Nadia Comăneci"
url: https://radiomoldova.md/p/89724/chisinau-hosts-special-exhibition-honouring-gymnastics-legend-nadia-comaneci
published: 2026-11-14T18:00:00Z
language: en
author: "Alexandru Rusu"
section: "Sport"
source: radiomoldova.md
---

# Chișinău hosts special exhibition honouring gymnastics legend Nadia Comăneci

> A special event took place in Chișinău as the Palace of the Republic hosted the official opening of “Olympic Bridges”, a thematic exhibition dedicated to Romanian gymnastics legend Nadia Comăneci. The event celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Romanian gymnast’s historic first "perfect 10" at the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games. The exhibition brought together medals, trophies, commemorative statuettes, books, photographs, and a documentary film tracing her remarkable career. Although Comăneci could not attend in person, she sent a special message.

![](https://storage.radiomoldova.md/images/c7ce0bbd-2b89-4127-995b-669ed2b838cc.jpg)

A special event took place in Chișinău as the Palace of the Republic hosted the official opening of “Olympic Bridges”, a thematic exhibition dedicated to Romanian gymnastics legend Nadia Comăneci. The event celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Romanian gymnast’s historic first "perfect 10" at the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games. The exhibition brought together medals, trophies, commemorative statuettes, books, photographs, and a documentary film tracing her remarkable career. Although Comăneci could not attend in person, she sent a special message.

"This event is a profound honor for me. Between Romania and the Republic of Moldova, there is not merely a border along the Prut, but rather enduring bridges—built on shared spirit, language, history, and common values. Sport is the purest form of diplomacy. Fair play, discipline, and respect require no translation", stated Nadia Comăneci.

"In 1976, she achieved a result that changed the history of sport—not just gymnastics. She was supposed to be here, but something unforeseen came up. I hope that in 2027, Nadia Comăneci will visit Chișinău," said Virgil Munteanu, Director of the Nadia Comăneci Foundation.

The exhibition is organized by the Department for Relations with the Republic of Moldova, under the Government of Romania. Visitors took part in an interactive program titled "Messages for Nadia" which included a workshop for children called "Thoughts for a Champion". The children took photographs and pasted them into a journal, which will subsequently be delivered to Nadia Comăneci.

"It is a story about discipline and monumental teamwork. These are the ingredients for success—the very things that can lead you toward achievements you never even dreamed of. Nadia is the kind of athlete and role model whose journey led her to perfection",  said Mihai Covaliu, President of the Romanian Olympic and Sports Committee. "There are many young people around her who want to meet her. She is a personality who provides an impetus to the new generation. That means a great deal," noted Nicolae Juravschi, President of the National Olympic and Sports Committee.

Nadia Comăneci is one of the greatest gymnasts of all time. She rose to fame after achieving the first perfect 10 in Olympic gymnastics history, in Montreal in 1976. Overall, she won 5 Olympic gold medals, 3 silver medals, and 1 bronze medal. She became a two-time world champion on the balance beam and won numerous European titles.