Gabriela Szabo

Gabriela Szabo , born the November 14th 1975 with Bistrita, is a Rumanian athlete , manhunter of bottom and Demi-fond.

She was the terror of the female medium-distance race at the end of the years 1990 and to the beginnings of the year 2000. Raising a style of race particular (small tread, very economic and very frequent), it had for principal strong point its finish.

Unconquered in 1999, it gained the League Golden delicious, the Championships of the World in room with Maebashi (doubled 1500m and 3000m) and the Championships of the World of Seville (5000m). Large favorite for the Olympic Games of Sydney, she shows nevertheless two severe defeats during the season: one on 1500m vis-a-vis its compatriot Violeta Szekely and the other on 5000m vis-a-vis the Kenyan Leah Malot.

Nevertheless, it is essential finally Olympic 5000m by pushing back the attacks of the Irish Sonia O' Sullivan, returned of maternity.

On 1500m, whereas it seemed to be in measurement to carry it, it falls with 700m of the arrival, but arrives thanks to an extraordinary end of the road, to go up on the podium, in the 3rd place behind Algerian the Nouriah Benida and Violeta Szekely.

At the time of the winter 2001, it approaches the world records in room on 1500m in 4 ' 04 ' 14 (Liévin) and beats the world records on 3000m in Birmingham.

But, with the championships of the World in room of Lisbon, it is made surprise by the Russian Olga Yegorova and takes only the money medal.

One believes then in a surprised defeat, but the Rumanian one loses three consecutive races including two vis-a-vis Olga Yegorova during the season 2001.

After the positive control of the Russian with the EPO, then its requalification with World, Szabo threatens to boycott the 5000m with World of Edmonton.

Nevertheless, from many fans dissuade some and the Rumanian tent doubled the 1500m-5000m.

It easily gains the 1500m in front of Violeta Szekely and the Russian Natalya Gorelova.

On 5000m, it on the other hand is tired and is made release in the last kilometer. It finishes 8th, far behind Olga Yegorova crowned world champion under the whistles of the public. The Rumanian one will declare at the race end " For me, Yegorova is not world champion, I wanted to take part in the 5000m to show that I did not fear the Russians, but it is impossible to run against robots".

In 2002, it will gain the money medal over 1500m to the Championships of Europe of Munich, beaten by Turkish the Surya Ayhan.

The year 2003 will be remembered by its last success in Zurich and Paris on 3000m. It will only finish on the other hand 11th at the time of the finale of the Championships of the World of Paris. Suffering from cardiac problems and wounds, Szabo moves away from the tracks and takes its retirement in 2005.

Prize list

External bonds

Random links:Bobsleigh with the Olympic Games of 1948 | Canton of the Rock-Canillac | Tortorici | Farnsburg | Nicholas_Kaldor