Ulrike Meyfarth 1972

German highjump olympic medalist and youngest track and field gold champion.
Successfully showing that the "Fosbury Flop" was supperior over the old straddle technique.
At the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games she also became the oldest female highjump medalist (at an age of 28).

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Meyfarth
• Olympic
• Summer
• Games
• 1972
• Highjump
• Athletics
• Medalist

[Hjumperman]

Great story and amazing how the women jumpers careers can last so long compared to the men.

I was 11 years old in 72 and lived in germany at the time and remember my german cousins going crazy... great post great memories

[poo72]

She is really the youngest and oldest olympic champion in women high jump. Incredible!

[journalistgirl07]

@journalistgirl07 I mean 11 yrs, sorry :-D

[journalistgirl07]

I was born 9 years after Ulrike´s triumph, but can imagine the splendid atmosphere at the stadium after she won gold. She was a sheer talent, indeed!

[youtuuberoxx]

that first jumper was still using the old fashioned forward jump even though the fosbury flop was allready in vogue by then

[bavarikus]

Well, 1:36 I think it was 2.02 m and not 2.2

[pabanil]

At age of 16?wow,is that acceptable to Olympic comittee,at that age?

[Ole1801]

Very good call!!! :-)

[YiannisBGoode]

Legendary athlete, olympic gold medal at 16...

Beautiful too.

[peppe201]

At the 1972 games, Ulrike I believe only qualified third at her national event. It came as quite a shock when she won in Munchen.