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.
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.
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.International Olympic Committee Disciplinary Commission decision regarding Klodiana Shala, International Olympic Committee, 19 February 2020.
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 m57.9015th (h)400 m hurdles62.651997Mediterranean GamesBari, Italy8th400 m hurdles62.462000Olympic GamesSydney, Australia52nd (h)400 m56.412001World ChampionshipsEdmonton, Canada –400 mDQMediterranean GamesRadès, Tunisia9th (h)200 m24.838th (h)400 m56.43Did not start in the final.2002European ChampionshipsMunich, Germany24th (h)200 m24.9320th (h)400 m55.812003World Indoor ChampionshipsBirmingham, United Kingdom26th (h)400 m57.812004World Indoor ChampionshipsBudapest, Hungary23rd (h)400 m54.62Olympic GamesAthens, Greece33rd (h)400 m60.002005European Indoor ChampionshipsMadrid, Spain10th (h)400 m53.60Mediterranean GamesAlmería, Spain3rd400 m53.234th400 m hurdles56.482006European ChampionshipsGothenburg, Sweden16th (sf)200 m24.6418th (h)400 m52.862008Olympic GamesBeijing, China46th (h)400 m54.842009European 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.
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 Luiza Gega Athletics in Albania Olympic Games
References
External links