Vera Nikolić

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexFemale
Full nameVera•Nikolić (-Ćasić)
Used nameVera•Nikolić
Original nameВера•Николић (-Ћасић)
Born23 September 1948 in Grabovac, Osječko-baranjska županija (CRO)
Died27 June 2021 in Beograd (Belgrade), Beograd (SRB)
Measurements168 cm / 57 kg
AffiliationsAK Morava, Ćuprija (SRB) / Dinamo Zagreb, Zagreb (CRO)
NOC Yugoslavia

Biography

Vera Nikolić was primarily an 800-metre runner who was ranked #1 in the world in 1966 and 1971, years in which she won the European Championship. She was in the world top 10 every year from 1966-72, also ranking 2nd in 1968 and 3rd in 1967.

She was a favorite at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics but did not finish in her semi-final. In 1972 she placed fifth in the Olympic final at München. She also won a bronze medal at the 1969 Europeans. In July 1968, Nikolić set the 800 metre world record of 2:00.5, a mark that lasted until July 1971. She was given the Golden Badge of Sport in 1966 as the best athlete in Yugoslavia.

Personal Bests: 800 – 1:59.62 (1972); 1500 – 4:12.7 (1972).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1968 Summer Olympics Athletics YUG Vera Nikolić
800 metres, Women (Olympic) AC h1 r2/3
1972 Summer Olympics Athletics YUG Vera Nikolić
800 metres, Women (Olympic) 5
1,500 metres, Women (Olympic) 9 h2 r1/3

Special Notes