# Ilona Slupianek

> East German shot putter

**Wikidata**: [Q57979](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q57979)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilona_Slupianek)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ilona-slupianek

## Summary
Ilona Slupianek is a former East German shot putter, renowned for her athletic achievements in the 1970s and 1980s. She is best known for winning the gold medal in shot put at the 1980 Moscow Olympics and setting multiple world records in the sport. Slupianek's career was marked by her dominance in shot put, making her one of the most successful athletes in her discipline during that era.

## Biography
- **Born**: September 24, 1956  
- **Nationality**: East German (German Democratic Republic), later German  
- **Known for**: World records and Olympic gold in shot put  
- **Employer(s)**: Competed as a professional athlete, affiliated with East German sports clubs  
- **Field(s)**: Athletics (Shot Put)  

## Contributions
Ilona Slupianek set multiple world records in shot put, including a record of 22.45 meters in 1980. She won the gold medal in shot put at the 1980 Moscow Olympics, solidifying her status as a leading athlete in her field. Her achievements contributed significantly to the prominence of East German athletics during the Cold War era.

## FAQs
**Q: What is Ilona Slupianek known for?**  
A: Ilona Slupianek is best known for her achievements in shot put, including setting multiple world records and winning the gold medal at the 1980 Moscow Olympics.  

**Q: When and where was Ilona Slupianek born?**  
A: Ilona Slupianek was born on September 24, 1956, though her birthplace is not specified in the provided material.  

**Q: What are some of Ilona Slupianek's notable achievements?**  
A: She set a world record of 22.45 meters in shot put in 1980 and won the Olympic gold medal in the same year.  

**Q: What is Ilona Slupianek's nationality?**  
A: She is of East German (German Democratic Republic) nationality, later becoming German after reunification.  

## Why They Matter
Ilona Slupianek's dominance in shot put during the 1970s and 1980s elevated the profile of women's athletics, particularly in East Germany. Her world records and Olympic gold medal inspired future generations of athletes and demonstrated the potential for women in strength-based sports. Her achievements also highlighted the success of East Germany's state-sponsored sports programs during the Cold War.

## Notable For
- **Olympic Gold Medalist**: Won gold in shot put at the 1980 Moscow Olympics.  
- **World Record Holder**: Set multiple world records in shot put, including 22.45 meters in 1980.  
- **East German Athletics Icon**: A prominent figure in East Germany's highly successful athletics program.  

## Body
### Early Life and Career Beginnings  
Ilona Slupianek was born on September 24, 1956. She began her athletic career in East Germany, a nation known for its rigorous and state-supported sports programs. Slupianek specialized in shot put, a discipline that requires both strength and technique.  

### Athletic Achievements  
Slupianek quickly rose to prominence in the 1970s, setting her first world records and establishing herself as a leading shot putter. Her most notable achievement came at the 1980 Moscow Olympics, where she won the gold medal in shot put. This victory cemented her status as one of the greatest athletes in her discipline.  

### World Records  
Throughout her career, Slupianek set multiple world records in shot put. Her most famous record, 22.45 meters, was set in 1980 and demonstrated her exceptional skill and strength. These records contributed to her legacy as a trailblazer in women's athletics.  

### East German Sports System  
Slupianek's success was closely tied to East Germany's state-sponsored sports system, which focused on identifying and developing elite athletes. Her achievements were a testament to the system's effectiveness, though it later faced scrutiny for its use of performance-enhancing substances.  

### Later Career and Legacy  
Slupianek retired from professional athletics in the late 1980s, leaving behind a legacy of excellence in shot put. Her contributions to the sport inspired future athletes and helped elevate the profile of women's athletics globally. She remains a notable figure in the history of East German sports and Olympic athletics.  

### Personal Life  
Details about Slupianek's personal life are limited, but she is known by her aliases Ilona Schoknecht-Slupianek and Ilona Longo. Her focus on her athletic career and her impact on the sport remain her most enduring legacies.

## References

1. [Source](https://books.google.co.jp/books?id=3fnlAgAAQBAJ&printsec=copyright&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false)
2. [Einziger offizieller DDR-Dopingfall: Ilona Slupianek und die Folgen für den Sport](https://www.mz.de/sport/regionalsport/einziger-offizieller-ddr-dopingfall-uber-das-system-redete-ilona-slupianek-nie-3249280)
3. World Athletics database
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. [Source](https://worldathletics.org/records/by-discipline/throws/shot-put/all/women)