By the end of 1963 no jumper other than Balaș had reached 1.80, and
she owned all 72 competitive marks at that height or better, as well as
the only jump above 1.90 (1.91 in 1961). Balaș won the gold medal
after taking five jumps in the final, starting at 1.65, and then jumping
1.71 before progressing to medal-winning heights. Brown was behind
Chenchik until clearing 1.80 for silver. The Australian would confirm
her status as second best by clearing the six-foot barrier two weeks
later. Balaș meanwhile won the gold with 1.82 (and then beat her
Olympic record with first time clearances at 1.86 and 1.90 before miss-
ing three times at 1.92). Balaș was again the best in 1965 but then suf-
fered leg injuries and retired in 1967. She married her coach Ion Soter,
and later became president of the Romanian athletics federation.