Star High Jumper
Legendary Track and Field Hero Donner Has Died!
Austrian sports are in mourning—Helmut Donner, a true legend of Austrian track and field, has died after a long, serious illness! The Viennese native passed away at the age of 85 …
Kronen Zeitung als bevorzugte Google-Quelle hinzufügen As an athlete, he made history in Austrian track and field as the first high jumper to clear 2.00 meters; he then served the federation as an official, serving as ÖLV president from 1994 to 2000.
A Moment of Glory in August 1959
His sporting moment of glory came on August 8, 1959, when he became the first Austrian to clear the 2.00-meter mark in the high jump during the Austria vs. Spain track and field international meet in Vienna. In doing so, Donner improved his own one-year-old record of 1.96 m by four centimeters.
Personal Best Raised to 2.03 m
By 1962, Donner—who was born in Vienna on August 15, 1941—had raised this record to 2.03 m, before Sepp Zeilbauer surpassed him with a jump of 2.04 m in Helsinki in 1971. From 1959 to 1965, Donner was Austrian high jump champion six times; at the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome, he was eliminated in the qualifying round, finishing 22nd with a jump of 1.95 m.
Career as a Journalist
After his athletic career, he embarked on a successful career as a journalist. He initially worked for the “Express” before becoming head of the business section at the “Oberösterreichische Nachrichten.” In 1974, he founded the trade journal publishing house “a3.” This publishing house was very successful and expanded into several Eastern European countries. Donner served as managing director of the company until 2000.
Always Loyal to Track and Field
Donner, however,alwaysremainedloyal to track and field. Even before he became ÖLV president, he regularly appeared as a critical observer at Austrian championships or at indoor meets at the Ferry-Dusika Stadium. He eventually succeeded Erika Strasser, who served as ÖLV president from 1985 to 1994, in the highest office of the Austrian Athletics Federation.
Most Recently in Linz in 2024
Even after stepping down as ÖLV president, track and field remained close to his heart. At the 2024 National Championships in Linz, he was among a large group of legends such as Rudi Klaban and Gunnar Prokop. By then, however, he was already severely weakened by his illness.
Now Helmut Donner has passed away. The track and field family will always remember him …
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