Rosa Mota: The Marathon Legend
Venice Marathon
It's impossible not to fall in love with this romantic city, cradled by the waves of art and culture... With routes weaving between city and seafront, the Venice Marathon offers a unique way to discover the 'Serenissima' in a completely new light. From the start in neighboring villages to crossing the Liberty Bridge, let yourself be charmed by the city of the Doges by securing your bib for October 26th!
Rosa Mota, The Unstoppable
On June 29, 1958, in Porto, a future legend of Portuguese sports was born. Rosa Mota, small in stature but immense in talent and determination, made her mark on world athletics history by etching her name at the pinnacle of the marathon. A pioneer, a fighter, a champion, she remains today as one of the greatest marathon runners of all time.
A Golden Record
From her very first steps in long-distance running, Rosa Mota stood out with her extraordinary athletic abilities. After promising beginnings in shorter distances, she quickly turned to the marathon, a discipline that was still rarely run by women at the time, making her a pioneer of this prestigious distance. Her rise to fame was rapid: in 1983, she clinched the bronze medal 🥉 at the inaugural World Athletics Championships in Helsinki, before winning her first major title at the 1986 European Championships 🥇.
But it was in 1988 that Rosa Mota truly entered the annals of history. At the Seoul Olympic Games, she dominated the marathon with impressive mastery and became, following Carlos Lopes (winner of the 1984 Olympic Marathon), the first Portuguese female Olympic athletics champion 🇵🇹. On that day, she gifted Portugal one of its most glorious sporting moments, etching her name alongside the nation's greatest athletes like Carlos Lopes and football legend Eusébio ⚽.
Rosa Mota built her legacy through exceptional consistency and longevity. She amassed victories in the world’s most prestigious marathons: Chicago, London, Boston, Rotterdam, Osaka... nothing could stop her. Her trophy cabinet kept filling up: three consecutive European titles (1982, 1986, 1990), a bronze medal at the 1983 World Championships, and of course, the Olympic gold. In total, she ran 21 marathons between 1982 and 1992, winning 14 😅: A participation-to-victory ratio that will be hard to match!
Beyond the medals, it was her fighting spirit and humility that won the hearts of the public. Despite injuries and challenges, she never gave up. Always smiling, always approachable, she perfectly embodied the values of sport and remains an inspiration for future generations.
An Everlasting Legacy
Today, Rosa Mota is still a major figure in Portuguese sports. She continues to be an ambassador for the marathon and athletics, promoting the importance of sport in society. Her name now resonates in the streets of Porto, where the pavilion proudly bears her name, and in the hearts of all Portuguese who fondly remember her achievements. In 1998, Mota received the Abebe Bikila Award for her contribution to the development of the marathon and in 2000, she was awarded the Silver Olympic Order in recognition of her illustrious career.
Rosa Mota didn’t just run marathons. She blazed a trail, opened doors, especially for women’s sports, and inspired thousands of young athletes. A living legend, an icon, a champion who will forever remain one of the most beautiful faces of Portuguese sports! 🇵🇹
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