Sisters Tamara and Irina Press were both Olympic champions for the Soviet Union in the early ‘60s. Irina won the first Olympic women’s pentathlon in 1964 and the 80-meter hurdles title in 1960. Tamara won both the shot and discus in 1964, while earning a shot put gold and discus silver in 1960.
Western track and field officials and media representatives often mocked the muscular sisters for appearing masculine and speculated, whether fairly or not, that the two received male hormone treatments, or perhaps were actually men. In part because of those questions, gender tests were instituted for international competitions in 1966. The sisters promptly withdrew from athletic competition and were never tested, fueling further speculation. Soviet officials announced the pair were retiring to care for their ailing mother in Ukraine.
Proof of the Press’ gender has never been given, one way or the other, but their accomplishments remain on the record books. Irina died in 2004.
Woods ruled shortPoland’s Wladyslaw Komar shocked the shot put community with his gold medal-winning effort in 1972. Komar’s first attempt set an Olympic record, measuring 69 feet, six inches (21.18 meters). His competitors spent the rest of the day trying to beat the mark. American George Woods was closest, reaching 69-5½ in the fourth round. But some observers felt Woods was even closer with his sixth and final put, which appeared to hit the marker indicating Komar’s leading put. However, officials measured it at 69-¾ and Woods had to settle for his second consecutive silver medal. Back to Olympic Shot Put main page
