Article by Alexandru Stanciu – Published Saturday, May 16, 2026, 12:42 / Updated Saturday, May 16, 2026 12:46
Nadia Comăneci (64 years old), the first sportswoman in the world to receive a grade 10 in an Olympic gymnastics competition, gave an interview to the Italian media in which she spoke about her compatriot Cristi Chivu (45 years old), the coach of Inter, who managed the “event” in his first season on the Nerazzurri bench.
At the end of the Italian Cup won by Inter in front of Lazio, score 2-0, Cristi Chivu was asked what mark he would give his team, and the Romanian technician mentioned the “Goddess of Montreal”: “The first 10 in the history of gymnastics was obtained by Nadia Comăneci, and she was Romanian… So I also give 10 to everyone”.
Nadia Comăneci later gave an interview in Gazzetta dello Sport, in which she spoke about Cristi Chivu's triumph in Italy.
Nadia Comăneci praised Cristi Chivu. “He's a real top 10 coach”
“He's a real top 10 coach,” Nadia said by phone from the United States.
“I thank Cristian for remembering me. It was exceptional, it is a pride for all of Romania.
I met him a few times at various events dedicated to sports, he was always very loved in Romania. I saw on Instagram about the new cup won, it's great news to see what tremendous success he is having, especially in his first year as a head coach.
In general, he is a very kind and very humble boy. I've listened to him speak in this new role via social media from here in the United States of America, and it shows that he has the strength of character needed to manage a large group of players.”
On being mentioned by Chivu in her second trophy speech, Nadia said: “I believe that great moments in sport can inspire different generations and that certain figures can become symbols.
The perfect 10 is not just a number, but an example: it means hard work, courage and resilience, exactly what a great football team like Inter needs to win. To me it is wonderful that Chivu thought of this in a moment of celebration.
Let's put it this way: just like his players, Cristian is also a top 10 coach. After all, like me, he is a Romanian who lives abroad, who worked hard to get where he is as a player and who now passes on to new generations the same values that he learned from our roots“.
I admire him and am so proud of him. Of the wonderful person he is and the great coach he has become. Beyond the extraordinary results obtained, Chivu is simply a grade 10 boy!
– Nadia Comăneci
Nadia Comăneci: “Our athletes have a special pride in being Romanian”
“I go very often (no in Romania). In addition, this year is the “year of Nadia”. It was declared that way by the Parliament and the president, to mark exactly 50 years since the grade 10 I got at the Olympic Games in Montreal.
We organize many events and activities with children. On May 29, there will be a grand gala with all the athletes and Olympians of my generation, then we will go to Onești, my hometown, where there will be a big celebration. And maybe I'll also make a documentary to celebrate all of this.
Romania unites us. Our athletes have a special pride in being Romanian… It doesn't matter where you go, in Italy or America, you always stay connected to where you come from. And this is what builds your character. You can't forget where you come from, who you are: Cristian knows this very well”.
