Iolanda Balaș, Romanian high jumper, Died at 79

  Sports

Iolanda Balaș was born on December 12, 1936, and died on March 11, 2016.

She was a Romanian athlete.

She was an Olympic champion and world record holder in high jump.

She was considered one of the greatest high jumpers ever.

During 1953, Balas transferred from Timisoara club “Electrica” to CCA (CSA Steaua).

Following her finish fifth in the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, Balas won two Olympic gold medals at Rome in 1960 and Tokyo in 1964.

Her time at the 1964 Olympics, she competed with a torn tendon, which forced her later to withdraws from the 1966 European Championships.

Iolanda Balaș passed away at 79 yrs old.