Women’s 1500m final
Gabriela Szabo – the tiny distance runner who has won two consecutive golds in the 3000m at the world indoors – got the afternoon off to a great start for Romania by winning the 1500m from her countrywoman Violeta Beclea-Szekely. Szabo, who also starts in the 3000m tomorrow, was content to relax in the pack for most of the race before unleashing her deadly sprint with a lap to go. Beclea–Szekely, the fastest in the world before this race, could not catch Szabo who crossed the line in 4:03.23: a championship best. Her countrywoman’s time was a personal best while Poland’s Lidia Chojecka needed to break her national record to make sure of the bronze in 4:05.86.
Gold Medallist - SZABO Gabriela(ROM)
"I have specifically prepared for this championship and I went into this
particular race with no pre-race plan. I am a runner of feeling. By that I mean I must
judge my attitude to the race solely on how I feel as my foot touches the start line. So I
am a runner of instinct. No pre-race plan for me and this is what perhaps gives me the
edge as I am a natural runner.
Physically things are hard for me here as tomorrow I run a 3000 meters."
Silver Medallist - BECLEA-SZEKELY Violeta(ROM)
"I am disappointed, as this is the race I was preparing for. The 3000 tomorrow
will be even harder for me, as it is twice the distance. Gabriela (SZABO) run a great
race, hopefully I can beat her tomorrow."
Bronze Medallist - CHOJECKA Lidia(POL)
"After winning the European Indoors last year this performance is great. I am
still very young, so this is only the beginning for me. I hope to better my result, by
winnning medals in Sevilla and Sydney in the next two years. I think that this medal is a
real inspiration for youngsters in Poland."
