Openly gay athlete Maria Pérez, a World and Olympic champion, has made history by setting a new record in the women’s half marathon race walk. The race took place in Birmingham on Saturday, August 15, as part of the European Athletics Championships.
In a superb performance, the 30-year-old race walker shattered the previous world record of 1:30:30 by 24 seconds. In addition to setting the new record, her time of 1:30:06 led her to claim European gold.
The race also featured a moment that showcases the sportsmanship that has defined Pérez throughout her career. When her close friend and Italian Olympic champion Antonella Palmisano tripped on a metal barrier that was jutting out onto the course, Pérez paused to grab her hand and help her recover her balance. The moment was widely praised by commentators and fans on social media.
Speaking after the race, Pérez said: “I wasn’t expecting to break the world record today; I didn’t even know what the world record was.
“It was a difficult race with a lot of medal contenders. The pace was very fast so I just tried to keep up with everyone else, but at some point I just knew I was capable of going for the gold.”
That’s sporting spirit! 🤝
Maria Perez set a world record at the European Athletics Championships, and still had time to look out for a fellow runner. 👑#Olympics #Birmingham2026 #EuropeanAthleticsChampionships pic.twitter.com/CXpx3N25jV
— The Olympic Games™ (@Olympics) August 17, 2026
This is not Pérez’s first world record, as the athlete already holds the global standard in the 35km race walk, which she set in 2023 with a time of 2:37:15. Her career has been filled with successes, including an Olympic silver in the 20km and gold in the mixed relay at the Paris 2024 Games and two World Athletics Championships titles in Budapest in 2026.
Maria Pérez is a celebrated athlete even off the track, having been an advocate for LGBTQ+ people in sports for years. In Spain, she featured in a national campaign called ‘Sport with Pride’ promoting inclusion and diversity in athletics.
When asked about being a role model during an interview at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, she said: “I don’t know if I am a role model, I don’t think about it that way.
“In my life, I have always wanted to be myself. I am very happy if I helped someone in the LGBTQ community by just being who I am.”
© 2026 GCN (Gay Community News). All rights reserved.
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