Nadia Comăneci returns to Montreal 50 years after her perfect 10 changed Olympic gymnastics
The Romanian gymnast who made history at the 1976 Montreal Olympics will receive an honorary doctorate and visit the McCord Stewart Museum.
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Nearly 50 years to the day after she became the first gymnast ever to earn a perfect 10 at the Olympic Games, Nadia Comăneci is returning to Montreal for a series of celebrations.
On July 18, 1976, the Romanian gymnast achieved the unprecedented feat on the uneven bars at the Montreal Olympics. The moment was so surprising that the Omega scoreboard wasn't programmed to display a 10.0 and instead showed 1.00, briefly confusing the crowd. By the end of the Games, Comăneci had earned six more perfect 10s, cementing her place in Olympic history. She won the all-around gold medal, plus gold on the uneven bars and balance beam.
Now 64, Comăneci said the experience of returning to Montreal remains emotional. "It's very emotional for me to come back to Montreal every time, even though it's been at least three generations have passed," she said. "When you think about the world that we live today and how fast people turn, something happens, we close the door and we move on. To be able to recall moments that happened 50 years ago, it's very, very rare and unique."
During her visit, Comăneci will receive an honorary doctorate from l'Université de Montréal on July 31, and a commemorative plaque will be unveiled at the Centre Claude-Robillard. The next day, she will visit the "Montreal 1976: An Olympic Feat" exhibit at the McCord Stewart Museum, followed by a special "Nadia Day" meet-and-greet at Olympic Park for people who share her name. The trip concludes with a celebration and concert.
The facts
When did Nadia Comăneci score her first perfect 10 at the Olympics?
On July 18, 1976, Nadia Comăneci became the first gymnast ever to earn a perfect 10 at the Olympic Games, scoring it on the uneven bars at the Montreal Olympics.
How many perfect 10s did Comăneci earn by the end of the 1976 Games?
Nadia Comăneci earned seven perfect 10s total by the end of the 1976 Montreal Olympics, including her historic first one on the uneven bars.
What medals did Comăneci win at the 1976 Montreal Olympics?
Nadia Comăneci won the all-around gold medal, plus gold on the uneven bars and balance beam at the 1976 Montreal Olympics.
What honors will Comăneci receive during her Montreal visit?
Nadia Comăneci will receive an honorary doctorate from l'Université de Montréal on July 31, 2026, and a commemorative plaque will be unveiled at the Centre Claude-Robillard during her visit.
