January 22 Birthdays

1931
Galina Ivanovna Zybina, Soviet Union, shot putter. Zybina set eight consecutive world records in the women's shot put from 1952 to 1956, taking the record from 15.02m to 16.76m. She set her first world record, 15.28m, at the 1952 (Helsinki) Olympics, where she won the gold medal. She won a silver medal in the women's shot at the 1956 (Melbourne) Olympics, and completed the set with a bronze in the women's shot at the 1960 (Rome) Olympics.

1968
Franka Dietzsch, Germany, discus thrower. Dietzsch is a three-time gold medalist in the women's discus throw at the World Championships, having won the title in 1999 (Seville), 2005 (Helsinki), and 2007 (Osaka). She threw at the 2009 (Berlin) World Championships, but failed to make the final. Dietzsch also competed for Germany in the women's discus at the 2000 (Sydney) Olympic Games, where she placed sixth.

1972
Norberto Téllez, Cuba, sprinter/middle-distance runner. Téllez started off as a 400-meter runner and was successful enough in the event to run on Cuba's silver-medal winning 4 x 400m relay team at the 1992 (Barcelona) Olympic Games. He then moved up to the 800m and ran 1:42.85 to finish fourth in the 1996 (Atlanta) Olympics, breaking the Cuban national record of the great Alberto Juantorena. At the 1997 (Athens) World Championships Téllez won a silver medal in the 800m, running 1:44.00. Téllez was back at the 1999 (Seville) World Championships, running 1:45.03 to finish fourth in the 800m.