Gabriela Szabo


Gabriela Szabo 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. Szabo was born to a Romanian mother and a Hungarian father.
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 remains the European record holder in the 3000 m.
As of 19 August 2013 she held the honorific title of Romanian Tourism Ambassador, 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.

Competition record

Personal bests

Outdoor (track)

1500 metres - 3:56.97
One mile - 4:19.30
3000 metres - 8:21.42
5000 metres - 14:31.48

Indoor

1500 metres - 4:03.23
One mile - 4:23.19
2000 metres - 5:30.53
3000 metres - 8:32.88
5000 metres - 14:47.35

2001 Accident

Szabo is remembered for a collision with Ghanaian runner 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. Amoah smashed into Szabo, and landed on top of her as Szabo's legs spread from the impact.