A Swedish athlete who won the gold medal in high jump at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, setting a new personal best and national record.
Stefan Christian Holm is a retired Swedish high jumper, renowned for his astonishing 2.40m (7 ft 10 in) indoor and 2.37m (7 ft 9 in) outdoor personal records, and his impressive collection of Olympic and World Championship medals. With a height differential of 59 cm (23 in) above his own height, Holm currently holds the world record for highest jump relative to his body height, a feat he shares with American Franklin Jacobs.
Holm's fascination with high jumping began when he was just 8 years old, watching Swedish high jumping legend Patrik Sjöberg compete on television. This early inspiration sparked a passion that would drive him to become one of the greatest high jumpers of all time. In 2003, Holm set an indoor personal best of 2.36m (7 ft 8 in) to win the prestigious Hochsprung mit Musik meeting, a feat he replicated outdoors the following year at the Internationales HochsprungMeeting Eberstadt.
The pinnacle of Holm's career came in 2004, when he won the gold medal at the Athens Summer Olympics with a jump of 2.36m (7 ft 8 in). This achievement earned him the coveted Svenska Dagbladet Gold Medal, an honor bestowed upon Swedish athletes who have achieved exceptional success in their respective sports. Holm also received the prestigious Jerring Award in 2004, solidifying his status as one of Sweden's most celebrated athletes.
In 2008, Holm announced his retirement from competitive high jumping, ending a remarkable 20-year career. He concluded his athletic journey with a second-place finish at the World Athletics Final in Stuttgart. Although he briefly returned to competition in 2010 for a charity event, Holm has since dedicated himself to coaching, currently guiding Swedish high jumper Sofie Skoog.
In 2013, Holm became an IOC member, a testament to his enduring influence in the world of athletics. He served in this capacity until 2020, when he announced his decision to leave the IOC following the Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
On his 40th birthday in May 2016, Holm set a new Swedish veteran record, a fitting tribute to his remarkable career. His impressive personal records, both indoors and outdoors, remain a benchmark for aspiring high jumpers around the world.
Stefan Holm's remarkable journey serves as a testament to the power of dedication, perseverance, and passion. As one of the greatest high jumpers of all time, his legacy continues to inspire future generations of athletes, coaches, and fans alike.
58 Years Old
Cuban athlete who holds the world record in the high jump, clearing 2.45 meters in 1993, a mark that still stands today.
