TIRANA, June 24 – Two Albanian athletes finished first and second in the Baku 2015 European Games but failed to get medals because of the strange competition formula awarding medals based on team performance.
Albania’s Luiza Gega Luiza finished first in the Women’s 1500 metres while athlete Izmir Smajlaj ranked second in the long jump.
Albania sent a team of 28 athletes to the inaugural Baku 2015 European Games which is scheduled to be held from June 12 to 28 featuring more than 6,000 athletes from 50 National Olympic Committees competing in 20 sports.
The Albanian team features two athletes who have been on the Olympic stage.
An internationally successful athlete, runner Luiza Gega won a 1500m silver medal at the 2013 Mediterranean Games and a 1500m bronze medal at the 2013 Universiade.
Meanwhile, 47-year-old shooter Arben Kucana competed in 10m Air Pistol and 50m Pistol at London 2012 while Adriatik Hoxha appeared in the Shot Put competition at the 2012 Olympic Games.
Albania will be competing in eight sports in the Baku 2015 including athletics, boxing, cycling, judo, karate, shooting, swimming, taekwondo, wrestling.
