Hall of fame
November 25, 2009
The German track and field association (DLV) has reinstated the 1.60 meter record and requested that Bergmann be installed in Germany's sports hall of fame.
"We know that this cannot recompense for what happened. But it is an act of justice and a symbolic gesture out of the respect for Gretel Bergmann," said honorary DLV President Theo Rous.
Bergmann was not allowed to compete in the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin and thrown out of the national team by the Nazi-controlled sports body. In 1937, Bergmann immigrated to the United States to start a new life, changing her name to Margaret Lambert.
The 95-year-old said the reinstatement her high jump record came as a pleasant surprise. "That's very nice and I appreciate it," said
Lambert today lives with her 99-year-old husband in New York.
Forced to return to Nazi Germany
The young woman fled Germany for Britain when Hitler came to power. She won the British High Jump Championships in 1934 and had set her hopes on competing for Britain. But the Nazis found out about her sporting success and using threats against her family forced her to return and join the German team.
Even so, she was barred from competing in a stadium.
Dora Ratjen competed in the Olympics in Bergmann's place, finishing fourth. In 1938 she won a world record but was forced to end her sporting career when the authorities discovered that she was a man.
nrt/AFP/dpa
Editor: Nancy Isenson