European Athletics is very saddened to hear that two-time European discus champion Ilke Wyludda from Germany died on Sunday (1) at the age of 55.
Wyludda won her first European discus title in Split 1990 in the colours of East Germany before retaining her title four years later in Helsinki while competing for a reunified Germany. Her win in 1990 was part of a 41 competition win streak which stretched from 1989 to 1991.
But her greatest moment came when Wyludda won the Olympic title in Atlanta with a mark of 69.96m, her longest throw in four years, to win one of three gold medals for Germany in the heavy throws in Atlanta 1996.
"With Ilke Wyludda, a figurehead of German athletics has unfortunately left us far too early at the age of 55," said German Athletics Federation Chairman Idriss Gonschinska.
"The athletics family mourns the loss of a truly great athlete who fought against injuries and illnesses throughout her life and yet remained committed to her sport for decades. The German Athletics Federation and its regional associations wish Ilke Wyludda's family and friends a lot of strength in these difficult times."
Wyludda, who is the third longest discus thrower in history with 74.56m and still holds the world U20 record with 74.40m, retired in 2000 before returning to the competitive fray in Paralympic sport after having he right leg amputated in 2011 due to a bacterial infection.
Wyludda had the distinction of becoming the first German to compete in both the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in London 2012. She went on to win medals at both the World and European Athletics Para Championships before officially retiring in 2017.