Shot Put, Women

In 1966 Nadezhda Chizhova (URS) won the European Championships over second-placed Margitta Gummel-Helmbold (GDR) and her teammate, Marita Lange. Earlier in 1968 Chizhova and Gummel broke the world record, first Chizhova in April with 18.67 (61-3), followed by Gummel in late September with 18.87 (61-11). In Ciudad de México, Chizhova was off form and though she won a bronze medal, never contended for the gold. Marita Lange led in round one with 18.78 (61-7½) and held that until Gummel threw a world record 19.07 (62-6¾) in round three. That settled first and second but Gummel had a stunner in round five, throwing 19.61 (64-4) for a huge world record. The medals were the same as at the 1966 Europeans and the three would repeat that in 1969, with the same order as in 1966, Chizhova winning.