Born: 1952 (Lohsa, Saxony)
Biography:
Rosemarie Rosi Ackermann (née Witschas; born 4 April 1952) is a German former high jumper, Olympic champion, and multiple world record holder. She was born in Lohsa, Saxony, and represented East Germany in the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, finishing seventh behind Ulrike Meyfarth.
Ackermann’s breakthrough came in 1974 at the European Championships in Rome, where she won her first international title and set a new world record of 1.95m. Later that year, she married handball player Manfred Ackermann and adopted his surname. Two years later, at the 1976 Summer Olympics held in Montreal, Canada, she secured the gold medal in the high jump event.
However, Ackermann’s most significant achievement came on 26 August 1977 in Berlin when she became the first female high jumper to clear a height of 2 meters. This historic accomplishment solidified her status as one of the greatest high jumpers of her time. She continued to excel in her athletic career, winning the Hochsprung mit Musik meeting in 1980.
In 1978, Ackermann faced a setback when she lost her European title to Italian jumper Sara Simeoni. Despite this, she remained a formidable athlete and retired from athletics after the 1980 Olympics, where she narrowly missed out on a medal, placing fourth.
Notably, Ackermann holds the distinction of being the last female high jumper to set a world record using the straddle technique. She is also the last high jumper, regardless of gender, to win an Olympic gold medal in the high jump using that technique. Throughout her career, she competed for the sports club SC Cottbus, clinching multiple East German high jump championships and earning bronze medals in 1969 and 1972. Additionally, she won the East German indoor championship multiple times.
Rosemarie Ackermann’s impact on women’s history extended beyond her achievements in high jumping. As a pioneer in her sport, she shattered barriers and paved the way for future female athletes. Her records and groundbreaking performances continue to inspire both aspiring high jumpers and women in sports.
Awards:
– Olympic gold medal in high jump (1976)
– European Championships gold medal in high jump (1974)