# Gabriela Szabo

Gabriela Szabo (Romanian pronunciation:, Hungarian: Szabó Gabriella; born 14 November 1975) 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 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 the European record in the 3000 m between 2002 and 2019.

## Early life

Szabo was born to a Romanian mother and a Hungarian father. As a child, Szabo used to speak Hungarian with her friends, but she can only understand a few words today, which she regrets.

## Post-sport career

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. She held the position until 17 November 2015.

## Competition record

| Year | Competition | Venue | Position | Event | Notes |
| Representing Romania ||||||
| 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 |
| 1994 | European Championships | Helsinki, Finland | 3rd | 3000 m | 8:40:08 |
| 1995 | World Indoor Championships | Barcelona, Spain | 1st | 3000 m | 8:54.50 |
| 1995 | World Championships | Gothenburg, Sweden | 4th | 5000 m | 14:56.57 |
| 1995 | Universiade | Fukuoka, Japan | 1st | 1500 m | 4:11.73 |
| 1995 | Universiade | Fukuoka, Japan | 1st | 5000 m | 15:29.86 |
| 1996 | Olympic Games | Atlanta, United States | 2nd | 1500 m | 4:01.54 |
| 1996 | Olympic Games | Atlanta, United States | 23rd (h) | 5000 m | 15:42.35 |
| 1997 | World Indoor Championships | Paris, France | 1st | 3000 m | 8:45.75 |
| 1997 | World Championships | Athens, Greece | 1st | 5000 m | 14:57.68 |
| 1997 | Universiade | Catania, Italy | 1st | 1500 m | 4:10.31 |
| 1998 | European Indoor Championships | Valencia, Spain | 1st | 3000 m | 8:49.96 |
| 1998 | European Championships | Budapest, Hungary | 2nd | 5000 m | 15:08.31 |
| 1999 | World Indoor Championships | Maebashi, Japan | 1st | 1500 m | 4:03.23 |
| 1999 | World Indoor Championships | Maebashi, Japan | 1st | 3000 m | 8:36.42 |
| 1999 | World Championships | Seville, Spain | 1st | 5000 m | 14:41.82 |
| 2000 | European Indoor Championships | Ghent, Belgium | 1st | 3000 m | 8:42.06 |
| 2000 | Olympic Games | Sydney, Australia | 3rd | 1500 m | 4:05.27 |
| 2000 | Olympic Games | Sydney, Australia | 1st | 5000 m | 14:40.79 |
| 2001 | World Indoor Championships | Lisbon, Portugal | 2nd | 3000 m | 8:39.65 |
| 2001 | World Championships | Edmonton, Canada | 1st | 1500 m | 4:00.57 |
| 2001 | World Championships | Edmonton, Canada | 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 |

## Personal bests
### Outdoor (track)

1500 metres - 3:56.97 (1998) One mile - 4:19.30 (1998) 3000 metres - 8:21.42 (2002) 5000 metres - 14:31.48 (1998)

### Indoor

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)

## 2001 Accident

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. Szabo walked into Amoah's path and they collided heavily.