Klodiana Shala
Height1.68m
Birth date22 August 1979 (age 47)
Birth placeTirana, PSR Albania
NationalityAlbanian
EducationAthletics teaching
Years active1997–2012
Show-medalsyes

Klodiana Shala (born 22 August 1979 in Tirana) is an Albanian track and field athlete who competes in the 200 metres and 400 metres sprints. Her personal bests are 23.27 and 52.86 seconds, respectively.

Klodiana Shala was the first athlete to qualify Albania for the final of a European athletics championship, in Gothenburg 2006.[1]

She is a four-time Olympic participant having represented Albania at the Olympics in 2000, 2004 (where she was also the flagbearer), 2008 and 2012.

Since November 2002, she has held a scholarship from the Olympic Solidarity program.

She was the 400 metres bronze medalist at the 2005 Mediterranean Games.

In recognition of her career and contributions to sports, Klodiana Shala was awarded the title of Grand Master (Mjeshtër i Madh) by the Albanian President in 2016.[2]

On 19 February 2020, the International Olympic Committee announced that the sample taken from Shala at the 2012 Olympic Games contained the banned doping substance of stanozolol.[3]

Shala is the national record holder in the 60m, 100m, 200m, 400m, and 400m steeplechase events.

Competition record

Representing
1995European Junior ChampionshipsNyíregyháza, Hungary14th (sf)400 m57.90
15th (h)400 m hurdles62.65
1997Mediterranean GamesBari, Italy8th400 m hurdles62.46
2000Olympic GamesSydney, Australia52nd (h)400 m56.41
2001World ChampionshipsEdmonton, Canada400 mDQ
Mediterranean GamesRadès, Tunisia9th (h)200 m24.83
8th (h)400 m56.43[4]
2002European ChampionshipsMunich, Germany24th (h)200 m24.93
20th (h)400 m55.81
2003World Indoor ChampionshipsBirmingham, United Kingdom26th (h)400 m57.81
2004World Indoor ChampionshipsBudapest, Hungary23rd (h)400 m54.62
Olympic GamesAthens, Greece33rd (h)400 m60.00
2005European Indoor ChampionshipsMadrid, Spain10th (h)400 m53.60
Mediterranean GamesAlmería, Spain3rd400 m53.23
4th400 m hurdles56.48
2006European ChampionshipsGothenburg, Sweden16th (sf)200 m24.64
18th (h)400 m52.86
2008Olympic GamesBeijing, China46th (h)400 m54.84
2009European Indoor ChampionshipsTurin, Italy20th (h)400 m55.70

Personal life

Klodiana Shala graduated from the Academy of Physical Education and Sports "Vojo Kushi" as a teacher in athletics. Additionally, she earned a master's degree in business management from the Mediterranean University.[5]

From 2011 to 2020, she served as a lecturer at several universities, including the University of Tirana, Marin Barleti, and UET, where she also established the Sports Department for the first time.

Klodiana Shala is a licensed coach for Physical Preparation by the Albanian Football Association.

See also

References

  1. ^ Klodiana Shala: Si e përjetova lajmin e mjekëve për të braktisur sportin në kulmin e karrierës (emision) (in Albanian). Report TV. 7 February 2023. pp. 7:40. Retrieved 29 February 2024. – via YouTube.
  2. ^ "Klodiana Shala, mijëra kilometër për të arritur deri këtu" (in Albanian). Class. 14 July 2016. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  3. ^ International Olympic Committee Disciplinary Commission decision regarding Klodiana Shala, International Olympic Committee, 19 February 2020.
  4. ^ Did not start in the final.
  5. ^ Klodiana Shala: Si e përjetova lajmin e mjekëve për të braktisur sportin në kulmin e karrierës (emision) (in Albanian). Report TV. 7 February 2023. pp. 16:40. Retrieved 29 February 2024. – via YouTube.