RomaniaBiography
Romanian discus throw great. Six-time Olympian (1952-72).
Started in athletics in 1948. Throws behind 40 metres first time in 1950. Able to select for Helsinki Olympics, where she was sixth. Took couple of bronze medals at the Olympics in 1960 & 1964. Secured gold medal in Mexico City Olympics by breaking Olympic record with 58.28m. With her glorious win, the 36-year old proved that "she is not too old to compete" which Romanian officials were thinking about before the Games.
She contested very last Olympics in Munich and became first track and field athlete to contest six Olympic Games in sports history. Manoliu also won seven Balkan discus titles - still a record for the event.
Her Olympic finishes:
1952 - 6th place (42.65)
1956 - 9th place (43.90)
1960 - Bronze medal (52.36)
1964 - Bronze medal (56.97)
1968 - Gold medal (58.28) - Olympic record
1972 - 9th place (58.50)
She died in operation for a brain tumor in January 1998 at the age of 65.
PERSONAL BEST
Shot put: 14.90 in Rieti 1971
Discus throw: 62.06 in 1972
TRIVIA
♦ Served long time vice president (1973-90) and president (1990-98) in Romanian Olympic Committee.
♦ Elected to Romanian Parliament as a senator in 1990 from FSN - (National Salvation Front)
♦ National stadium in Bucharest named after her in 1998.