Op/Ed: Luiza Gega — the unsung hero of the Albanian spirit
Story Highlights
- Gega’s gold medal is the best example of sheer will and hard work overcoming every obstacle thrown in her way.
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By ANDI BALLA
Tears of joy are not common in Albania. But I suspect many of us had them as we watched Luiza Gega cross the finishing line at the Olympic Stadium in Munich last night to win European gold in the 3000 meter steeplechase.
She dominated the race, gave it all at the end, went down on her knees crying, then leaped up covering herself up with an Albanian flag, having a victory moment to mark the pinnacle of her career.
This was not a random win. Not for Gega. Not for Albania. Gega’s success is the best example of sheer will and hard work overcoming every obstacle thrown in her way.
And there were many obstacles: At nearly 34, Gega was older than all the other competitors. In fact, she is too old to be at her peak. All the competitors also towered over her — a short stature is not a good thing at a race that involves jumping over obstacles. But Gega ran her heart out. Leading the entire race. And she won — shattering some records in the process.
It wasn’t easy to get to that point. Representing Albania is an obstacle in itself. Financial support had been nonexistent for much of her career and infrastructure was lacking. Her hardest moment? When the only professional running space in Albania was no longer available. She went running in Tirana’s large park and rural southeastern mountains instead. If you jog near Tirana’s lake, you’ve probably seen her zooming by.
One of five children from a poor family in rural eastern Albania, she suffered major economic hardship as she tried to succeed. Early mornings. Late nights. Painful injuries. She pulled through. “My family never let me give up. And there many times I wanted to give up,” she said in a recent interview.
With the type of obstacles Albanian athletes face, she is often competing alone. Many others with her talents and determination have simply gone to compete for other countries instead. It’s easier. There is more funding, more prestige. It’s a story many Albanians who moved abroad know well.
But not Gega. She stayed. She had faith. She persevered. She showed us all the strength of the Albanians spirit. And she brought tears of joy among so many of us in the process.
Luiza Gega, Albanians thanks you for reminding us of what is possible. You make us all so proud.
