Angela Voigt

Angela Voigt was the long jump favorite at Montréal in 1976 and came through for the gold medal. She had recently bettered the world record, having recorded 6.92 in May 1976 at a meet in Dresden, although teammate Siegrun Siegl had bettered that 10 days later with 6.99, again in Dresden. Voigt had also set an indoor world record of 6.76 in January 1976. Her winning mark in Montréal was recorded on the first jump. The Olympic gold was her only major international victory, although she placed second in the long jump at the 1978 European Championships and the 1974 European Indoors. She did win the 1973 European Cup, placing fifth in 1975. Domestically she earned East German titles outdoors in the long jump in 1973, 1975-76 and 1978-79, adding several indoor titles as well. She also started in the pentathlon and won the 1973 indoor title and was runner-up outdoors in the same year, ranking fourth in the world list that year. Voigt was world ranked six times in the top 10 in the long jump, ranking first in 1973 and 1976, second in 1978, and third in 1974 and 1979.

After German reunification her name appeared in documents concerning the East German’s systematic doping practices, but the case was never examined any further. She was educated as a telecommunications technician, but later worked as a diploma sports instructor. She became manager of a sports club and worked as a social educator in Saxonia. She died after a long illness and was survived by her husband and two sons.

Personal Bests: LJ – 6.92 (1976); Pen – 4647 (1973).