Gabriela Szabo (Romanian pronunciation: [ɡabriˈela ˈsabo], Hungarian: Szabó Gabriella;[2] born 14 November 1975)[3] is a retired Romanian runner. She competed in the 1500 m and 5000 m events at the 1996 and 2000 Olympics and won a gold, a silver and a bronze medal.
![]() Gabriela Szabo in May 2014 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nickname(s) | Gabi[1] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Born | 14 November 1975 (1975-11-14) (age 46) Bistriţa, Romania | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Height | 1.52 m (5 ft 0 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weight | 42 kg (93 lb) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sport | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sport | Running | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
|
Szabo is a three-time world champion. Throughout her entire career she was coached by Zsolt Gyöngyössy, whom she eventually married. In May 2005 she retired from competitions due to exhaustion. She held European record in the 3000 m between 2002–2019.
Szabo was born to a Romanian mother and a Hungarian father.[4][5] As a child, Szabo used to speak Hungarian with her friends, but she can only understand a few words today, which she regrets.[1][2]
As of 19 August 2013 she held the honorific title of Romanian Tourism Ambassador,[6] together with 7 other cultural and sport personalities of Romania.
On 5 March 2014, she was appointed Minister of Youth and Sport in the Victor Ponta social-democratic government. She held the position until 17 November 2015.
Year | Competition | Venue | Position | Event | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Representing ![]() | |||||
1991 | European Junior Championships | Thessaloniki, Greece | 1st | 3000 m | 9:19.28 |
1992 | World Junior Championships | Seoul, South Korea | 2nd | 3000 m | 8:48.28 |
1993 | European Junior Championships | San Sebastián, Spain | 1st | 3000 m | 8:50.97 |
1994 | World Junior Championships | Lisbon, Portugal | 1st | 3000 m | 8:47.40 |
European Championships | Helsinki, Finland | 3rd | 3000 m | 8:40:08 | |
1995 | World Indoor Championships | Barcelona, Spain | 1st | 3000 m | 8:54.50 |
World Championships | Gothenburg, Sweden | 4th | 5000 m | 14:56.57 | |
Universiade | Fukuoka, Japan | 1st | 1500 m | 15:29.86 | |
1st | 5000 m | 15:29.86 | |||
1996 | Olympic Games | Atlanta, United States | 2nd | 1500 m | 4:01.54 |
23rd (h) | 5000 m | 15:42.35 | |||
1997 | World Indoor Championships | Paris, France | 1st | 3000 m | 8:45.75 |
World Championships | Athens, Greece | 1st | 5000 m | 14:57.68 | |
Universiade | Catania, Italy | 1st | 1500 m | 4:10.31 | |
1998 | European Indoor Championships | Valencia, Spain | 1st | 3000 m | 8:49.96 |
European Championships | Budapest, Hungary | 2nd | 5000 m | 15:08.31 | |
1999 | World Indoor Championships | Maebashi, Japan | 1st | 1500 m | 4:03.23 |
1st | 3000 m | 8:36.42 | |||
World Championships | Seville, Spain | 1st | 5000 m | 14:41.82 | |
2000 | European Indoor Championships | Ghent, Belgium | 1st | 3000 m | 8:42.06 |
Olympic Games | Sydney, Australia | 3rd | 1500 m | 4:05.27 | |
1st | 5000 m | 14:40.79 | |||
2001 | World Indoor Championships | Lisbon, Portugal | 2nd | 3000 m | 8:39.65 |
World Championships | Edmonton, Canada | 1st | 1500 m | 4:00.57 | |
8th | 5000 m | 15:19.55 | |||
2002 | European Championships | Munich, Germany | 2nd | 1500 m | 3:58.81 |
2003 | World Championships | Paris, France | 11th | 5000 m | 14:59.36 |
1500 metres - 3:56.97 (1998)
One mile - 4:19.30 (1998)
3000 metres - 8:21.42 (2002)
5000 metres - 14:31.48 (1998)
1500 metres - 4:03.23 (1999)
One mile - 4:23.19 (2001)
2000 metres - 5:30.53 (1998)
3000 metres - 8:32.88 (2001)
5000 metres - 14:47.35 (1999)
Szabo is remembered for a collision with German long-jumper Kofi Amoah Prah during an indoor meeting at Stuttgart in 2001. Szabo was leaving the track after her competition had finished while Amoah was running for his attempt.[7] Szabo walked into Amoah's path and they collided heavily.[8]
ahogy a sportrajongók ismerik, Gabi Szabo[as sports fans know her, Gabi Szabo]
Nem véletlen, hogy eszembe sem volt a nevem megváltoztatása[It's no coincidence that I didn't even think of changing my name.]
Awards | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by | Women's European Athlete of the Year 1999 |
Succeeded by |
Preceded by | Women's Track & Field Athlete of the Year 1999 |
Succeeded by |
Preceded by | Gazzetta dello Sport Sportswoman of the Year 1999 |
Succeeded by |
Sporting positions | ||
Preceded by | Women's 3,000 m Best Year Performance 1997–2000 |
Succeeded by![]() |
Preceded by![]() |
Women's 5,000 m Best Year Performance 1998–1999 |
Succeeded by![]() |
Preceded by![]() |
Women's 3,000 m Best Year Performance 2002–2003 |
Succeeded by |
![]() | |
---|---|
3000 m |
|
5000 m |
|
Note: In 1996, the 3000 m was replaced by the 5000 m. |
World champions in women's 1500 metres | |
---|---|
|
World Athletics Championships champions in women's 3000 metres and 5000 metres | |
---|---|
3000 metres (1980–1993) |
|
5000 metres (1995–present) |
|
Note: In 1995, the 3000 m was replaced by the 5000 m. |
World Indoor Champions in women's 1500 metres | |
---|---|
|
World Indoor Champions in women's 3000 metres | |
---|---|
|
European Athletics Indoor Champions in women's 3000 metres | |
---|---|
|
Summer Universiade champions in women's 1500 metres | |
---|---|
|
Summer Universiade champions in women's 3000 metres and 5000 metres | |
---|---|
1975-1993 3000 metres |
|
1995-present 5000 metres |
|
IAAF World / Continental Cup champions in women's 3000 metres | |
---|---|
|
World U20 Champions in women's 3000 metres | |
---|---|
|
World Best Yearly Performance in Women's 1500 metres | |
---|---|
|
World Best Year Performance in Women's 5000 metres | |
---|---|
|
World Athlete of the Year (women) | |
---|---|
|
European Athlete of the Year (women) | |
---|---|
|
PAP European Sportsperson of the Year | |
---|---|
|