She competed in the 1500 m and 5000 m events at the 1996 and 2000 Olympics and won a gold, a silver and a bronze medal.

[4][5] As a child, Szabo used to speak Hungarian with her friends, but she can only understand a few words today, which she regrets.

[1][2] As of 19 August 2013 she held the honorific title of Romanian Tourism Ambassador,[6] together with 7 other cultural and sport personalities of Romania.

On 5 March 2014, she was appointed Minister of Youth and Sport in the Victor Ponta social-democratic government.

Szabo was leaving the track after her competition had finished while Amoah was running for his attempt.