Christa Happ dies at 83; German legend set WRs in vault, HJ, LJ
German superstar Christa Happ, known to her friends as Christel, died Oct. 11 at age 83, only a few years after setting W80 world indoor and outdoor records in the high jump and pole vault (and also long jump outdoors). She competed as recently as January 2013. Cause of death is still unknown to me. She was followed by Berlin filmmaker Jan Tenhaven for his documentary “Autumn Gold†but her story didn’t make the final cut. She was close to several Americans, including German-born Christel Donley, who shared the funeral information notice. Services are set Oct. 25 in the German town of Gernrode. Happ also was world-ranked in the sprints and throws.
Christa competed in many events and won many major titles since her 70s.
2 Responses
Oh, what a sad news. I often spoke with her, the first time in Gateshead 1999. She started doing athletics at age 65, as I remember well.
So sad to hear about Christa’s passing. I only met her last year in Jyvaeskylae,Finland and we have been corresponding via e-mail since then, as late as last month. We planned to meet again in Budapest.
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