The Topic family excels in athletics: Angelina's mother, Biljana Topic, a three-time Olympian and Serbian triple jump record holder, narrowly missed a podium finish at the 2009 World Athletics Championships. Angelina's father, Dragutin Topic, a former European high jump champion and Serbian record holder, now coaches her, shaping her path in athletics.

"My father is my biggest inspiration and he’s my best teacher in life, not just for sports - but also for everything I know, I learned from my parents and I’m really grateful for them," Topic told Olympics.com. 

"My mum was also an Olympian and she was an amazing top athlete. I’m so happy that I have people who already went through this path. And I think I’m like one step above everyone else because I have so much experience in my mind from them."

Topic, who competes in long-jump and also triple jump, first burst onto the scene back in 2022. Following her breakout season, Topic jumped to a silver medal with 1.97 metres at the Memorial Van Damme in Belgium and a bronze at the Meeting du Paris in June 2023.

In high jump, every centimetre counts, a pencil's width, a kernel of corn, or a ladybug. In May of this Olympic year, Topic claimed two Diamond League titles in Doha and Marrakech, reaching 1.98 meters for a new Serbian national record.

Her 1.98-meter personal best already surpasses the Rio 2016 Olympic gold-winning jump of 1.97 meters. Topic placed 7th at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest and 5th at the 2024 indoor world championships in Glasgow. She continues to improve, nearing the podium each time.

With just a few more centimetres, she could break the two-meter threshold, posing a serious challenge for the Paris podium this summer. The current world lead is 2.04 meters by Tokyo 2020 Olympic bronze medalist Yaroslava Mahuchikh, with four others clearing over two metres this year, placing Topic sixth in the rankings.

The teenager's successes in 2024 have persisted, highlighted by a silver medal at the European Athletics Championships in Rome this week (9 June), where she leaped 1.97 metres to stand just behind podium leader Mahuchikh.

"The European Championships have a really special place in my heart," she continued. "This is where I got my first senior medal at 17 in Munich two years ago. I’m really happy it’s happened here again. I’ve had an amazing day. I’m really happy. Everything came to the right place in the right time."

Topic has evolved significantly since Munich, evident in both her performance and demeanour. Despite her youth, she boasts valuable experience. "I've been coming to these competitions for about four years now, which has given me a lot of experience," said the 18-year-old. 

"Going through tough times at a young age has strengthened my mindset. I'm a different person now than I was two years ago in Munich." As she prepares for her Olympic debut, Topic is eager to embrace the moment, "I'm going to enjoy every moment and soak in the atmosphere, which I know will be incredible. I'm looking forward to making it to the final and experiencing that Olympic stage."

Her enthusiasm is infectious. "I plan to take pictures with everyone I meet!" she exclaimed. The women's Olympic high jump qualifiers are scheduled for 2 August, with the finals on 4 August.