Wondering whether 1.67 meters (about 5'6") is tall, short, or just average among world-class athletes? This article dives into official measurements, real-life athlete examples, international standards, and some surprisingly personal stories from the sports community. We'll see how this height compares across sports, what it means for verified records, and why it matters in global competitions. Along the way, I'll share what it's like seeing these stats up close, including a few missteps and lessons learned from the field.
First, to clear up the basics: 1.67 meters equals approximately 5 feet 5.75 inches (or, to keep it simple, about 5'6"). For context, the global average height for adult men is roughly 5'7" (1.70 m), and for women about 5'3" (1.60 m), according to the CDC and international studies (Our World in Data).
But averages in the general population don’t always line up with elite sports. Some sports—like basketball or volleyball—are dominated by tall athletes, while others—think gymnastics or horse racing—often feature much shorter competitors.
The first time I attended a major track and field meet, I was surprised at the diversity in body types. I remember chatting with a sprinter from Jamaica—she was listed at 1.67 meters, and honestly, she looked absolutely average on the track, but among the pole vaulters and high jumpers, she appeared much shorter. Later, I checked the official World Athletics athlete database. There are dozens of medalists hovering around this height, especially in sprints and middle-distance events.
That said, I once made the mistake of assuming a 5'6" athlete would be at a disadvantage in all sports. It turns out, in artistic gymnastics, being 1.67 meters is actually on the tall side! The majority of Olympic-level female gymnasts are below 1.60m, while many male gymnasts range from 1.60 to 1.70m.
There are some big names at or near this height:
To dig deeper, I compared how various countries and federations verify and record athlete heights, especially for official statistics and eligibility. The differences are surprisingly stark:
| Country/Org | Standard/Method | Legal Reference | Implementing Body |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA (NCAA) | Height measured barefoot, nearest 0.5cm | NCAA Compliance Handbook | University Athletic Departments |
| UK (Premier League) | Self-reported, often rounded | Premier League Handbook | Clubs / League Office |
| IOC (Olympics) | Measured during athlete accreditation | IOC Athlete Profile Protocol | IOC / National Olympic Committees |
| FIFA | Self-declared, verified for youth teams | FIFA Regulations | Clubs / FIFA Medical Teams |
You'd be amazed at how often these numbers get fudged or rounded. From my own experience working with a pro team, some athletes “grew an inch” between seasons for the official roster!
A few years ago, there was a minor controversy during a transfer between a Japanese J-League club and a Bundesliga team in Germany. The Japanese club listed a player at 1.67m, but after his arrival in Europe, the German team measured him at 1.63m. This led to some social media banter and confusion in the press. Ultimately, the transfer went through, but the discrepancy highlighted the lack of universal standards for recording such basic data. The Transfermarkt database, a widely used football resource, often lists multiple heights for the same player depending on the source.
At a recent sports science seminar, Dr. Lucia Han, a consultant with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), explained: “While height is a basic biometric, its importance varies: for talent identification, it can matter in basketball; for cycling, it’s almost irrelevant. The key is transparency and consistency. That’s why the IOC’s athlete verification protocol is so critical at the Olympics, where a level playing field is essential.”
Reflecting on this, I remember helping organize a youth sports tournament where we had to verify all heights for team selection. It was chaos—kids on tiptoes, others slouching, and one coach trying to sneak a thicker pair of socks onto his athlete. In the end, we all agreed that skill mattered far more than those few centimeters.
To sum up, 1.67 meters (about 5'6") puts you close to the global average for women and just below for men. In many sports, especially football, tennis, and gymnastics, it’s right in the competitive sweet spot. In others, like basketball or volleyball, it’s below average, but exceptions abound (see shortest NBA players).
The bigger issue is the lack of universally accepted, rigorously enforced standards for height verification across countries and sports organizations. While the WTO and OECD focus on trade and economic standards, similar rigor is only now emerging in sports. For now, always check the context—an official Olympic roster is more reliable than a club press release or a fan wiki.
If you’re an athlete (or aspiring one) at 1.67 meters, don’t sweat it. The data—both official and anecdotal—shows that height is just one variable in a much bigger equation. My advice: focus on your strengths, double-check those measurements, and remember, even the best in the world sometimes fudge the numbers.