Last 17th March the European Parliament in Brussels hosted the conference “European Values and Excellence: The Legacy of Nadia Comăneci, 50 Years On”, marking the 50th anniversary of the first perfect 10 in Olympic history.

The event brought together Members of the European Parliament, representatives of the European Commission, elite athletes, and key stakeholders to reflect on the role of sport in promoting European values such as excellence, discipline, inclusion, and equal opportunities.

ACES was represented by its President, Gian Francesco Lupattelli, who attended the conference following an invitation from Romanian MEP Victor Negrescu. His presence was particularly significant given that Onești — the birthplace of Nadia Comăneci — has been awarded the title of European City of Sport this year by ACES.

Lupattelli actively contributed to the discussions, highlighting the importance of sport as a powerful tool for education, social cohesion, and public health, as well as its role in strengthening European identity.

The conference featured a keynote speech by Nadia Comăneci, alongside high-level exchanges between policymakers and Olympic champions on the role of sport within European public policy.

This participation reinforces ACES’ commitment to strengthening the role of sport across Europe as a driver of unity, development, and well-being, while also underlining the symbolic connection between European institutions and cities recognised for their excellence in sport.