Sofia. Aug. 30, (BTA/GNA) – One of the longest-standing world records in modern athletics was set by a Bulgarian 35 years ago on this date. Stefka Kostadinova is the reigning world record holder in the women’s high jump at 2.09 m, which she jumped during the 1987 World Championships in Athletics in Rome. Kostadinova has been recognized as one of the world’s best athletes of all time.
Her unbeaten world record was the pinnacle of an extraordinary career. She became Olympic champion in Atlanta in 1996, when she jumped 2.05 m. She is a two-time world outdoor champion and a five-time world indoor champion. Altogether Kostadinova set seven world records, three outdoors and four indoors. She also holds the distinction of having jumped over 2.00 m 197 times.
Kostadinova has been the President of the Bulgarian Olympic Committee (BOC) since 2005.
On the occasion of the 35th anniversary of her world record, Kostadinova said, as quoted by the BOC: “Over the years, those 2.09 m have become something of a trademark for me, something of a symbol which stands as testimony to human ability. But the world record is not mine alone. It belongs to Bulgaria […] The achievement was also made possible by the other very strong Bulgarian female high jumpers.”
BTA/GNA