Origins & Early Life

Javier Sotomayor Sanabria (Spanish pronunciation: [xaˈβjeɾ sotomaˈʝoɾ]; born 13 October 1967) is a Cuban former track and field athlete who specialized in the high jump and is the current world record holder. His world record of 2.45 m (8 ft 1⁄4 in) and second-highest jump of 2.44 make him the only person ever to have cleared eight feet (2.44 m). Sotomayor is a two-time gold medalist at the IAAF World Championships in Athletics, and also won two silver medals at the competition. At the IAAF World Indoor Championships he won four gold medals between 1989 and 1999.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

In addition, he won three straight titles at the Pan American Games from 1987 to 1995, he was stripped for a fourth title in 1999 after testing positive for cocaine. At the Olympics, Cuban boycotts in 1984 and 1988 prevented him from competing, but he won gold in 1992, sat out in 1996 due to injury, and won silver in 2000. He retired in 2001 after testing positive for nandrolone, having avoided a lifetime ban that would normally follow a second positive drug test. Sotomayor was born in Limonar, Matanzas Province on 13 October 1967. The son of a day-care worker and a sugar factory maintenance man, Sotomayor...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Akshay Kumar — Contemporary (Born in 1967) (1967): Veteran Indian actor and producer known for action roles and prolific career.
• Albert Luthuli — Contemporary (Died in 1967) (1967): Pioneering anti-apartheid activist and leader of the ANC in South Africa.
• Aleksandr Karelin — Contemporary (Born in 1967) (1967): Dominant Greco-Roman wrestler, nicknamed the "Russian Bear", celebrated for unmatched Olympic success.
• Al Martino — Shared historical date (10-13 · Died) (2009): Iconic Italian-American crooner, celebrated for standards and his role in The Godfather.
• Alexander Yegorov (general) — Shared historical date (10-13 · Born) (1883): Soviet military leader and one of the original Marshals of the Soviet Union.
• Arthur Tedder, 1st Baron Tedder — Historical peer (Died in 1967) (1967): Pioneering RAF officer, instrumental in WWII Mediterranean and North African campaigns.
• Benicio del Toro — Historical peer (Born in 1967) (1967): Esteemed Puerto Rican actor known for intense, versatile performances.
• A. J. Ayer — Historical peer (Died in 1989) (1989): Influential English philosopher known for logical positivism and emotivism.
• Adnan Khayr Allah — Historical peer (Died in 1989) (1989): Iraqi military officer and former Minister of Defense, closely connected to the ruling family.
• Akio Morita — Historical peer (Died in 1999) (1999): Visionary Japanese entrepreneur and co-founder of Sony.
• 1967 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1967
• October 13 (10-13) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on October 13