Athlete Luiza Gega made history by becoming the first Albanian to qualify for athletics finals in the history of the Olympic Games, after finishing the 3,000-meter hurdles at 9.23.65 by automatically qualifying for the August 4 final.

In an Instagram post, Gega described the emotions of the new record in her career.

"Just a girl in the final of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. And where for the first time, the sport of athletics goes to an Olympic final. I wish very much to have a good leg !!! "As much as that means to me, I wanted to have a good memory of these games and I did it."

She added, "I'm too tired to be here, but when you do what you love, every effort is worth it and the emotions you get can buy you nothing."

"Thank you very much for all the congratulations you have sent me. And thank you from the bottom of my heart to all those who supported my journey and believed in me, ”she concludes, thanking, among others, the coach, Taulant Stërmas, and the family.

Luiza, the record girl who started playing sports at the age of 14, was the flag bearer for Tokyo 2020 along with Briken Caljan. She also carried the flag in Rio 2016.

In 2016, the athlete was declared European runner-up in the 3,000-meter dash at the European Athletics Championships in Amsterdam, setting a national record in the discipline.

"The road has been difficult in my life. I had a hard life, there were days when I wanted to leave the sport to support myself because you have to work. "Today I thank my coach immensely for not letting me leave the sport on difficult days," she said in 2016.