Gabriela Szabo works as the vice-president of Romanian Athletic Federation (RAF), promoting athletics among children and in schools.
MUMBAI: At 158 cm there's very little of Gabriela Szabo. But the puny athlete from Romania more than packs a punch. She's the winner of the 5000m gold at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and in 1999 became the first female athlete to win more than $1million in prize money in one year, having been undefeated in the seven-meet Golden League Series.
Now retired, she works as the vice-president of Romanian Athletic Federation (RAF), promoting athletics among children and in schools. She is in Mumbai to promote the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon to be held in the city on January 20. Though she won't be donning her running shoes, having called it quits in 2004, she says she might take the roads for a little bit "just to soak in the atmosphere maybe."
"I am very proud to be invited here for the Mumbai Marathon. I believe that Sunday will be a wonderful experience for all those who are taking part in the marathon. I have been told that the number of people participating in the event is going to be double this year," Szabo said on Thursday.
Named the best athlete in the world in 1999, Szabo started off wanting to be either a gymnast or a swimmer. "Nadia Comaneci was the best gymnast in the world and I wanted to be like her. But my teacher told me I was no good so I switched to running. I have no regrets. I have won everything there is to win and enjoyed every moment of it."
Gabi, as she is fondly known, was discovered at the age of 13 by Gyongyossy Zsolt, who remained her coach throughout her career and whom she later married.
Szabo says she had wanted to participate in the Athens Olympics in 2004 but her body wouldn't permit. "I was feeling the strain since 2003. I have been running from 1991, more than twelve years. I can't push my body all the time. I just couldn't do it so it was best that I quit," she said. "Now I don't run as much but I cycle and swim a lot."
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