Iolanda Balas
(IOC)
Updated: 2007-07-25 20:21
Tokyo, 15 October 1964: Iolanda BALAS-SOTER from Romania, 1st, in action in the high jump event during the Games of the XVIII Olympiad. Credit: IOC Olympic Museum Collections
Other names: BALAS-SOTER, Iolanda
Born: 12 December 1936
Birthplace: Timosoara (Romania)
Nationality: Romania
Sport: Athletics
ATTENDANCE AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES
Melbourne/Stockholm 1956
Rome 1960
Tokyo 1964
AWARDS
Olympic medals:
Gold: 2
Details
Other results:
European Championships
Gold: 2 (58,62)
Silver: 1 (54)
Higher and Higher
Iolanda Balas completely dominated women's high jumping between 1957 and 1967. She won an incredible 140 consecutive competitions and broke the world record 14 times. Her 1961 record of 1.91 metres remained unbeaten for ten years. Balas was equally successful at the Olympics. In 1960 she jumped 1.85m to win the gold medal by 14 centimetres. She defended her title in 1964, winning by 10 centimetres with a final leap of 1.90m.
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