Lana Gavrilović, one of Serbia's top triathletes and a woman who constantly pushes the boundaries of endurance, has announced her participation in the upcoming Ironman 70.3 Belgrade 2026. She is the proud ambassador of the event. However, behind her smile and top results lies a harrowing trauma she endured just a year ago, when a single moment threatened to permanently end not only her athletic career but her normal life.

On her last training session before a crucial competition, Gavrilović was hit by a car. The ensuing battle was one no one expected, and she shared her story with the public, not hiding how painful the journey back to the top has been:

- You see me today as an athlete, someone who talks about training, recovery, and the Ironman 70.3 Belgrade race, but as you have heard, last year my life changed in just a few seconds on May 29. It was during my last training session before the national championship in Olympic distance, also organized by the club, when I was hit by a car. At that moment, I wasn’t thinking about results or any kind of victory. I was thinking about whether I would ever live a normal life again, use my hand, train again, and most importantly, return to myself. - Gavrilović said, adding:

- It led to surgery, months of recovery, and a period where I realized how thin the line is between strength and complete disability. Even today, I have a metal plate and screws in my hand, a constant reminder of that time. But the hardest part of that battle wasn’t physical. People often see the moment when athletes return with their physical recovery, but they don’t see how much time it actually takes to start believing in your body, your mind, your training, and the process itself. What truly helped me on that path was the Ironman race in Belgrade.

Video: Statement from Ironman Race Ambassador Lana Gavrilović

(Telegraf.rs)