Vera Nikolić

Vera Nikolić (Serbian Cyrillic: Вера Николић; born 23 September 1948) is a Serbian coach and retired middle-distance runner who competed at the 1968 and 1972 Olympics. She had her best achievements in the 800 m event, in which she won European titles in 1966 and 1971 and set a world record on 20 July 1968. She came to the 1968 Olympics as a favorite, but due to the pressure of being the favorite she gave up her semifinal – after leading it for 300 m she suddenly stepped off the track, walked back to the start, sat down and took off her shoes. She set her personal best in 800 m at the 1972 Olympics, but this was only enough for a fifth place.Nikolić received a Golden Badge of Sport, award for the best athlete of Yugoslavia in 1966.