Marita Koch is a German former sprint track and field athlete. During her career she set 16 world records in outdoor sprints as well as 14 world records in indoor events. Her record of 47.60 in the 400 metres, set on 6 October 1985, still stands. Marita Koch (East Germany) set the women's 400 m world record of 49.19 in Leipzig, East Germany on July 2, 1978. It stood 48 days, until Marita Koch's 49.03 on August 19, 1978. Wiki link