Marita Koch: on a fabulous world record, privileges in the wonderland of sport, doping and an Olympic web of lies that continues to have an impact
It is the second oldest world record in athletics. Forty years ago today, Marita Koch, honored several times as ‘World Sportswoman’, ran the 400 metres in 47.60 seconds at the World Cup in Canberra: a symbol and product of the East German state doping system. A long read on two sides of the medal.