| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Women'sathletics | ||
Representing Romania | ||
| Olympic Games | ||
 | 2000 Sydney | 1500 m |
| World Championships | ||
| 2001 Edmonton | 1500 m |
Violeta Szekely, néeBeclea (born 26 March 1965, inDolheștii Mari,Suceava County)[1] is aRomanian formermiddle distance runner who competed mainly in the1500 metres. She competed in twoOlympic Games, in1992 and2000.
She was favored to win the 2000 Summer Olympics 1500 metres after a stellar season, but getting boxed in around the final curb would cost her the gold medal. She only got out about 80 metres from the end and while she made up considerable ground was unable to catch the ground lost while trapped inside to surprise winnerNouria Merah-Benida. She was also favored to win the 2001 World 1500 metre title after dominating the Golden League series, but was beaten out by bitter rival and teammateGabriela Szabo. She did however win a share of the golden league jackspot, by winning all of her Golden league 1500 metre races this season.[citation needed]
Szekely retired after the 2002 season.[citation needed]
Beclea tested positive for steroids in February 1995 and was subsequently handed a four-year ban from sports.[2] She also lost the fourth place from the 1500 m at the1995 IAAF World Indoor Championships.[3]
| Year | Competition | Venue | Position | Event | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Representing Romania | |||||
| 1986 | European Championships | Stuttgart,West Germany | 16th (sf) | 800m | 2:08.25 |
| 1990 | European Championships | Split,Yugoslavia | 12th | 1500m | 4:16.45 |
| 1991 | World Indoor Championships | Sevilla,Spain | 2nd | 800m | 2:01.75 |
| 1993 | World Indoor Championships | Toronto,Canada | 2nd | 1500m | 4:09.41 |
| 1994 | European Championships | Helsinki,Finland | 24th (h) | 1500m | 4:20.43 |
| 1999 | World Indoor Championships | Maebashi,Japan | 2nd | 1500m | 4:03.53 |
| IAAF Grand Prix Final | München,Germany | 1st | 1500m | 4:15.18 | |
| 2000 | Summer Olympics | Sydney,Australia | 2nd | 1500m | 4:05.15 |
| IAAF Grand Prix Final | Doha,UAE | 1st | 1500m | 4:15.63 | |
| 2001 | World Indoor Championships | Lisbon,Portugal | 2nd | 1500m | 4:11.17 |
| World Championships | Edmonton,Canada | 2nd | 1500m | 4:01.70 | |
Other achievements:
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