Vera Nikolić

Vera Nikolić (Serbian Cyrillic: Вера Николић; 23 September 1948 – 28 June 2021) was a Serbian middle-distance runner, who competed at the 1968 and 1972 Olympics, and later coach. She had her best achievements in the 800 m event, in which she won European titles in 1966 and 1971 and set a world record, 2:00.5, on 20 July 1968 holding it until 11 July 1971. She came to the 1968 Olympics as a favorite, but due to the pressure of being the favorite[2] she gave up her semifinal – after leading it for 300 m she suddenly stepped off the track, walked back to the start, sat down and took off her shoes.[3] She set her personal best for the 800 m in the heats at 1972 Olympics before finishing fifth in the final.[4]

For the Croatian painter and baroness, see Vera Nikolić Podrinska.

Vera Nikolić
Nikolić in 1972
Personal information
Native nameВера Николић
Born23 September 1948 (1948-09-23)
Grabovica, PR Serbia, FPR Yugoslavia
Died28 June 2021 (2021-06-29) (aged 72)[1]
Belgrade, Serbia
Height1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)
Weight57 kg (126 lb)
Sport
SportAthletics
Event(s)800 m, 1500 m
ClubMorava Ćuprija
Dinamo Zagreb
Coached byLeo Lang
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)800 m – 1:59.62 (1972)
1500 m – 4:12.7 (1972)
Medal record
Representing  Yugoslavia
European Championships
Gold medal – first place 1966 Budapest800 m
Gold medal – first place 1971 Helsinki800 m
Bronze medal – third place 1969 Athens800 m
Mediterranean Games
Gold medal – first place 1971 Izmir800 m
Gold medal – first place 1971 Izmir1500 m

Nikolić received a Golden Badge of Sport, award for the best athlete of Yugoslavia in 1966.

References
  1. "Preminula Vera Nikolić, jedna od najboljih sportašica bivše države". Večernji.hr. 28 June 2021. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  2. www.blicsport.rs Vera Nikolić: Za mene je Bekrić vanzemaljac, ali ne stvarajmo pritisak sportistima
  3. Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Athletics at the 1968 Ciudad de México Summer Games: Women's 800 metres". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020.
  4. Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Vera Nikolić". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020.
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