08-09-2026
The new academic year has begun in the best possible way for the NOVA FCT community: Catarina Lourenço, a student at our School, became a Mediterranean champion after winning the gold medal in the women's 4x100m relay, representing the Portuguese National Team, at the Taranto'2026 Mediterranean Games.
Alongside Rosalina Santos, Beatriz Castelhano and Arialis Martínez, Catarina Lourenço was part of the Portuguese quartet that completed the final in 43.57 seconds, ahead of Greece (silver, 43.61s) and Turkey (bronze, 44.05s). A result that surprised the athletes themselves, who had expected to win a medal, but not the top spot on the podium.
This was Portugal's 10th gold medal in the Italian city, as part of a National Delegation that has already gathered dozens of medals at this edition of the Games.
Catarina Lourenço's achievement takes on added significance with the start of the academic year, which brings new student-athletes to our Campus, reflecting the School's commitment to balancing academic study and sport.
