Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan met on Tuesday with the President of the Association of European Olympic Committees, Spyros Capralos, as 2026 has been declared the "Nadia Comaneci Year" and Romania is set to host the European Youth Olympic Festival in 2027.
The meeting, held at Victoria Palace of Government, was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister Tanczos Barna, President of the Romanian Olympic and Sports Committee (COSR) Mihai Covaliu, and Octavian Morariu, Romania's member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Government announced in a press release.
The year 2026, declared the "Nadia Comaneci Year", marks 50 years since the historic achievement by Nadia Comaneci at the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games.
"The programme dedicated to this anniversary will include, throughout the year, sporting, educational and cultural events with an international dimension," reads the press release.
At the same time, Romania is preparing to host, for the second time, the European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF), the winter 2027 edition, which will take place in Brasov. Hosting rights were awarded to Romania at the 2024 EOC General Assembly, after the country previously hosted the competition in 2013.
"Nadia Comaneci is a role model and a source of inspiration for young people who choose sport. The performances of Romanian athletes contribute significantly to Romania's image at international level. We are pleased that your country will once again host the European Youth Olympic Festival," said Spyros Capralos.
The European Youth Olympic Festival brings together young athletes aged between 14 and 18 from across Europe. The winter edition in Brasov will be the 18th in the history of the competition.
"The Government will support the organisation of these events, within the limits imposed by the current economic conditions. We appreciate the constant support of the Association of European Olympic Committees for the development of Romanian sport. Hosting the European Youth Olympic Festival represents an opportunity for our country," Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan said.
Deputy Prime Minister Tanczos Barna noted that hosting the EYOF confirms Romania's experience in organising international competitions.
"The European Youth Olympic Festival shows that Romania is recognised both for its sporting results and for its capacity to host competitions to high standards," the deputy prime minister said.
Representatives of the Romanian Olympic and Sports Committee called for maintaining investments in sports infrastructure among the list of priorities.
"The Romanian Government is considering solutions to ensure efficient funding for projects, so that the commitments undertaken are respected, even in the current economic context," the press release further mentions.
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