Paula Ivan

Paula Ivan, née Paula Ionescu, (20 July 1963), later known as Paula Ilie, is a retired Romanian middle-distance runner.

Born in Herăști, Giurgiu County, she graduated from the Gheorghe Șincai High School in Bucharest in 1982. In 1987, Ivan won gold medals in the 1500 m and 3000 m at the 1987 Summer Universiade. Later the same year at the World Championships she did not advance past the heats of the same events. In July 1988 she won the 800 m and 1500 m events at the Balkan Games, setting her all-times personal best over 800 m. On 27 July at Verona Ivan broke the 4-minute barrier over 1500 m, clocking 3:58.80. She improved to 3:56.22 in Zurich on 17 August. At the 1988 Summer Olympics she won a silver medal in her first event, 3000 m, followed by a gold in the 1500 m. Her winning time, 3:53.96 was the Olympic record until 2021.