STARteam Trophy, created by visual artist Mihai Zgondoiu and produced in the Art the Wood Studio in Bucharest, marks the debut of the 2026 Athletes' Forum organized by the Romanian Olympic and Sports Committee and symbolizes START and supporting performance among young athletes in Romania.
Designed from ash and bubinga wood, chosen for chromatic contrast and durability, the trophy has an open, sculptural-dynamic, recognizable shape, which can be interpreted as a star with a heart in the center (a reference to victory), a young man with open arms or a butterfly - images that converge in a single idea about beginning, growth and transformation, being awarded for the first time, during the event hosted at the Amphitheatre Hall of the Olympic House in Bucharest, to the best juniors of 2025, Amalia Covaliu (fencing) and Erick Pătru (wrestling), in the presence of special guests Andreea Esca and Cristian Șimonca, in a program that also included presentations dedicated to personal development and sports branding, such as Athlete365 and workshops supported by industry specialists.
University lecturer Dr. Mihai Zgondoiu
