Brumel was educated at the Central Institute of Physical Culture (Moscow), graduating in 1967; he was made an honoured master of sport of the Soviet Union in 1961 and became a member of the Communist Party in 1964. He set his first world record in 1961 with a jump of 2.23 metres (7 feet 4 inches). In 1960, in his first world-class appearance, he won the silver medal at the Olympic Games in Rome, beating the American John Thomas, who held the world record. Later jumps breaking his own record culminated in one of 2.28 metres. He also won the gold medal at the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo. In 1965 his right leg was broken in three places in a motorcycle accident. After more than 25 operations, he resumed training in 1969, and in 1973 he jumped 2.05 metres during an indoor meet at Moscow.