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.