By Duncan Mackay

Gabriela Szabo has been appointed as Romania's new Sports Minister ©Getty ImagesMarch 4 - Former Olympic champion Gabriela Szabo has been appointed as Romania's new Minister of Youth and Sport, it was announced today.


The 38-year-old from Transylvania has been given the role by Prime Minister Victor Ponta, who is currently trying to form a new coalition Government.

Szabo, who won the Olympic 5,000 metres title at Sydney in 2000, has vowed to help bring about a revival in sport in Romania.

The country won only nine medals at London 2012, two of which were gold, to finish 27th overall. 

It was their worst performance since Paris in 1900 when they had made their Olympic debut. 

"This is a great responsibility and I'll try not to disappoint," said Szabo.

"One of my priorities is to develop grassroots sport in parallel with high performance sport.

"Neither can be neglected.

"There are many things to do in Romanian sport.

"We need results, because performance brings spectators in the stands and performance attracts sponsors."

Gabriela Szabo beat Ireland's Sonia O'Sullivan to claim the Olympic gold medal in the 5,000 metres at Sydney 2000 ©Allsport/Getty ImagesGabriela Szabo beat Ireland's Sonia O'Sullivan to claim the Olympic gold medal in the 5,000 metres at Sydney 2000 ©Allsport/Getty Images

Szabo, who retired in 2005, is one of history's greatest-ever female middle distance runners who also won three World Championship titles.

But Sonia O'Sullivan, the Irishwoman beaten to the Olympic title in Sydney, later cast doubt over Szabo's achievements in her autobiography.

In 2003 erythropoietin (EPO) was found in a car belonging to Szabo but she was cleared after a family friend driving the vehicle claimed they were delivering the drug to another Romanian runner.

The incident has not subsequently affected Szabo's post-athletics career.

She is a member of the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) Women's Committee and sits on the ruling Council of European Athletics, as well as serving as vice-president of the Romanian Athletics Federation.

For the last year she has also been acting as a policy advisor to Nicolae Banicioiu, who has been appointed as Romania's new Health Minister.

Szabo has urged people to be patient and allow her to develop fresh systems in her new role.

"I want to do as many things, but the important thing is to have patience," she said.

"We must understand that sport is not an expense, it is a medium to long term investment."

Szabo admitted the call from Ponta was a surprise.

"The appointment has taken me by surprise, to be honest," she said.

"I thank the Senators and Deputies who have placed their confidence in me today."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
April 2013: Olympic champion beaten in Romanian Athletics Federation election
September 2009: O'Sullivan casts doubts over woman who beat her to Olympic title