“I didn't feel like I was shaking that much even when I had to go to the parallels”

An extremely emotional Nadia gave a superb speech at the awards ceremony, alongside Novak Djokovic and Eileen Gu, the presenters of the event.

Nadia Comăneci is part of the “Laureus World Sports Academy”, an association that brings together over 60 of the best athletes of all time, which annually awards prizes.

Nadia Comăneci's message at the Laureus Gala: “You are my perfect 10”

“I didn't feel myself shaking that much even when I had to go to the parallels… Thank you so much for the award, especially since it comes from you, you (no to her husband, Bart), the one who saved me.

I was just a little girl following her passion, and a few seconds of my life at the Olympics changed everything and brought me here with all of you, celebrating what sport does for everyone.

I wouldn't be here if I didn't have a direction. I realized how much I learned from being involved in sports. It is not only education that is important. Sports also educate you.

They teach kids how to pick themselves up when they fall, how to manage their lives when they're sad, how to be accountable to their teammates, and how to be present even when they're not feeling well one day.

There are so many amazing athletes here and every half century a role model emerges in every sport. Simone, you are incredible.

Not only because you're involved in sports, but also because you brought up something that no one was talking about: mental health, which everyone had to deal with. It's something that everyone faces and having people to help us is very important and sport does that for us.

Laureus, you gave me a big surprise, so thank you very much. You (no to her husband Bart) are my perfect 10. Thank you all,” Nadia said, extremely emotional, on stage at the Laureus Gala.

50 years on from her historically perfect 10, fellow Laureus Academy members surprised Nadia Comăneci with the Lifetime Achievement Award.#Laureus | @nadiacomaneci10 @Olympics pic.twitter.com/sIHB9Y2wFV

— Laureus (@LaureusSport) April 20, 2026

• In Romania, 2026 was declared “The Year of Nadia Comăneci”, to mark the unique performance in Montreal

Laureus Gala 2026 winners

• Sportsman of the year: Carlos Alcaraz (tennis)

• Sportswoman of the year: Aryna Sabalenka (tennis)

• Team of the Year: PSG (football)

• Breakthrough of the year: Lando Norris (Formula 1)

• Comeback of the year: Rory McIlroy (golf)

• Paralympic Sports Personality of the Year: Gabriel Araujo (swimming)

• Extreme sports personality: Chloe Kim (snowboard)

• Sport for good: Futbol Mas (soccer)

• Sports inspiration: Toni Kroos (football)

• Lifetime Achievement Award: Nadia Comăneci (gymnastics)