Drisbioti, who had the honor of carrying the Greek flag at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony, is one of only two athletes from the Greek delegation—including Miltiadis Tentoglou—to have won a World Championship medal. In 2023, she claimed bronze in Budapest over 35 km and has also won gold in both the 20 km and 35 km events at the European Championships in Munich.

She will compete in the 35 km race early Saturday morning at 01:30 (Greek time), with the 20 km race scheduled for the following Saturday, 20/9, at the same hour.

The 41-year-old shared her thoughts on competing at another World Championship, her motivations, and her love for sport.

On the World Championships and preparation:
“I’m always happy to compete in a major championship. I qualified with the standard, proving I can still compete at the elite level. Even though some say I’ve aged, my times prove otherwise. I never aim just to participate; I always push my limits and hope for a strong finish.”

On motivation after so many years:
“I love challenges. I’ve faced many, both personally and athletically, and sport has always been my outlet. It has become part of me—whenever I face difficulty, I channel it into athletics.”

On continuing after this championship:
“I’m still here, as you can see. After the World Championships, we’ll see what comes next.”

Tokyo World Championships schedule – Opening Day, Saturday, September 13

Morning session:

• 01:30 – 35 km Race Walk Final (Women) – Drisbioti, Fiasca, Alikanioti
• 01:30 – 35 km Race Walk Final (Men) – Papamichael
• 03:00 – Discus (Women) Qualifying Group A
• 04:55 – Shot Put (Men) Qualifying
• 04:55 – Discus (Women) Qualifying Group B
• 05:23 – 100 m (Men) Round 1
• 05:55 – 4×400 m Mixed Relay Qualifying

Afternoon session:

• 12:05 – 3,000 m Steeplechase (Men) Qualifying
• 12:30 – Long Jump (Women) Qualifying
• 12:55 – 100 m (Women) Qualifying, Emmanouilidou, Heat 4
• 13:05 – Pole Vault (Men) Qualifying, Karalis (Group 1), Rizos (Group 2)
• 13:50 – 1,500 m (Women) Qualifying
• 14:35 – 100 m (Men) Qualifying
• 15:10 – Shot Put (Men) Qualifying
• 15:30 – 10,000 m (Women) Final
• 16:20 – 4×400 m Mixed Relay Final

Drisbioti’s focus and drive mark her as one of Greece’s top athletes in Tokyo, ready to add another medal to her impressive career.