FACTOIDS
Full Name: Gabriela Szabo
Nickname: Gabriela
Birthday: November 14, 1975
Height: 5’3”
Hometown: Rome
Sports: Track & Field
Profile
On a giant arena, filled with spectators, the feminine 5000 meters trial was announced. Among the athletes lined at the start we could clearly distinguish the Romanian Gabriela Szabo in red and yellow equipment. When the pistol went out, every runner was searching for the perfect spot. That spot was for Gabi, somewhere in front. The Yugoslavian Olivera Jevtic was leading the squad and after the first few laps it seemed she was running the show. After a few hundred meters the three Ethiopians qualified in the finals were grouped at the front.
Eight laps before the final run the Yugoslavian forfeited. At the last lap where the true battle for the medal took place, Gabi and the Irish Sonia O'Sullivan, ahead taller than the other runners, launched the battle for the Olympic title. Gabi was leading the squad. The Irish tried to make use of her advantage but the Romanian increased her pace and won by 23 hundredths of a second. 14:40.79 was the new Olympic record. The first title on the Olympic games of Romanian athleticism after a twelve-year break. And the only title that Gabriela was missing. Emotions overtook her and for the first time she let her tears loose.
Declared athlete of the world last season, Gabi Szabo honoured her calling card and secured the only title she was missing. The little blonde, weighing only 42 kg also owns two more titles for World Champion for the same distance, won in 1997 and 1999, a World Title and a European Title for 3000 meters and last year she won the Golden League Circuit. After the extraordinary final of the 5000 meters course, she made a first statement: "I feel fantastic. It was tough but I had the speed to stay ahead." Afterwards she ran the honour tour clad in a tricolour flag that the swimmer Beatrice Caslaru offered.
