Stefka Kostadinova Ranked Among Europe’s Greatest Women Athletes

Jerusalem, 19 December, 2024 (TPS-IL) -- Sofia (BTA) – Retired Bulgarian high jumper Stefka Kostadinova has earned a new prestigious recognition by being chosen to represent Bulgaria in a photo exhibition, dedicated to women and sport in the EU, which opened in the European Parliament in Brussels. The exhibition highlights female athletes from the 27 EU Member States, recognising their significant contribution to sport and their role in advancing gender equality.

The photo exhibition highlights how sport, as a universal language, can achieve significant results in different areas of society. Former Italian prime minister Giuseppe Conte, who is currently president of the Five Star Movement, and Roberta Mezzola, President of the European Parliament visited the exhibition and congratulated the organisers of the event.

Known for her extraordinary technique, Kostadinova set the women’s high jump world record of 2.09 meters in 1987, a mark that still stands.
She is a two-time World Champion (1987, 1995) and Olympic gold medalist (1996), with a silver from the 1988 Olympics. She also won five World Indoor titles and multiple European Championships.

The exhibition shows a photo of Kostadinova’s winning jump from the Atlanta Olympics. It is put alongside images of gymnasts Nadia Comaneci and Vera Caslavska, skiers Blanka Ochoa and Kristina Smigun, swimmer Krisztina Egerszegi, athletes Rosa Mota, Blanka Vlasic, Voula Patoulidou, Fanny Blankers-Koen, pentathlete Laura Asadauskaitė, tennis player Steffi Graf and others.