THIS 40-YEAR-OLD BULGARIAN SPRINTING SPECIALIST SHARES HER DAILY LIFE

At 40, Ivet Lalova continues to shine on the world athletics stage. A sprint specialist, this Bulgarian athlete embodies perseverance, mental strength, and a pure passion for sport. With a career spanning two decades, Ivet Lalova is now much more than an accomplished athlete: she's an inspiration to an entire generation. Between intense training sessions, competitions, and family moments, she shares her daily life with her followers on Instagram.

A journey marked by resilience

Ivet Lalova burst onto the international scene in 2004, at just 20 years old, winning the European 100m championship with a spectacular time of 10.77 seconds. This dazzling performance made her one of the fastest sprinters in the world at the time. Bulgaria discovered a new sports icon, capable of competing with the world's best. In June 2005, while warming up for a race in Athens, Ivet Lalova suffered a fractured femur in an accidental collision with another athlete. This injury, potentially fatal for a sprinting career, could have ended her career. Ivet Lalova refused to give up. After two long years of rehabilitation, marked by pain and self-doubt, she finally returned to the track with unwavering determination. In 2012, she won the 100m gold medal at the European Championships in Helsinki, marking a spectacular return to the highest level. This triumph is a shining example of her resilience and mental strength. Ivet Lalova didn't stop there: she competed in five Olympic Games (2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2021).

An athlete connected with her audience

Today, Ivet Lalova combines her athletic career with a strong social media presence, particularly on Instagram. There, she shares her daily life in an authentic and inspiring way. We see videos of her workouts: strength training sessions, speed drills, and recovery sessions. Ivet Lalova also shares moments of self-doubt, injuries, and the effort required to "stay at the top." Ivet Lalova doesn't limit herself to sports. She also shares moments of relaxation, time with her husband, Simone Collio, a former Italian sprinter, and escapades in the great outdoors. She candidly discusses how she balances her personal and professional life, offering her followers a balanced and healthy vision of performance.

A career marked by success

Ivet Lalova's track record is impressive. In addition to her European title in 2012, she has won several medals at the European Championships and excelled at the Olympic Games. She also dipped below the symbolic 11-second barrier in the 100m, a feat reserved for a select few in women's sprinting. Ivet Lalova also distinguished herself in the 200m, a discipline in which she has won several European medals. Her influence extends beyond competition. With her husband, she runs an athletics club in Bulgaria, where she trains the next generation of sprinters. Ivet Lalova is a valuable mentor to young athletes, passing on not only her technical knowledge, but also her values of hard work, resilience, and respect for sport. Her journey is proof that success isn't measured solely in medals, but also in the ability to overcome challenges, bounce back from setbacks, and cultivate a lasting passion. At 40, Ivet Lalova continues to run, fight, and dream. Whether on the track, in her club, or on social media, Ivet Lalova continues to inspire and show that age is just a number.

2025-03-20T12:25:50Z