Valery Brumel, 60; Olympic High Jumper, Former Record Holder

Valery Brumel, 60, an Olympic high jumper and world record holder in the days of the Soviet Union, died Sunday in a Moscow hospital after a lengthy illness.

Brumel was the champion high jumper of the former Soviet Union from 1961 to 1963 and world record holder from 1961 to 1971. He set six world records in 1961-62, and in 1963, he cleared 7 feet 5 3/4 inches, a record that stood until 1971.

His country awarded Brumel a Soviet state order for outstanding sports achievements in 1964. But the following year, he was sidelined by a serious foot injury suffered in a traffic accident.

Brumel spent six years working to regain his strength. He was able to make a comeback, clearing 6 feet 10 3/4 inches.