Evelin Jahl (née Schlaak and later Herberg, born 28 March 1956) is a German former discus thrower, who won two Olympic gold medals representing East Germany.
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Evelin Schlaak |
| Born | 28 March 1956 Annaberg-Buchholz, Saxony, East Germany |
| Height | 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in) |
| Weight | 84 kg (185 lb) |
| Sport | |
| Sport | Athletics |
| Event | Discus |
| Club | ASK Vorwärts Potsdam |
| Coached by | Lothar Hillebrandt |
| Achievements and titles | |
| Personal best | 71.50 m (1980) |
Medal record | |
In 1976 she won the women's discus throwing event at the Montreal Summer Olympics defeating favourite and world record holder Faina Melnik.[1] In 1978 she set a new world record and also won the European Championships. Two years later Jahl defended the Olympic title in Moscow, again relegating Vergova, also competing under her married name (Petkova), into second place.[1] From 1980 until 2016 Jahl was the only discus thrower to defend her Olympic title and win two Olympic gold medals.[2] Her feat was equalled by Sandra Perković of Croatia at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
She retired from throwing in 1982 after an injury. She later became GDR chairperson of a commission in the GDR track and field association DVfL.[1]
After the 1976 Olympics she married shot putter Norbert Jahl und competed under her married name for the rest of her sporting career. Shortly after her retirement, she married the swim trainer Harald Herberg but she soon divorced him.[3]
References
- Schlaak-Jahl-Herberg rzutyiskoki.pl (in Polish)