Ellen KIESSLING

Middle-distance runner Ellen Kießling did not finish the heats of the 1,500 at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. In 1991 she finished fifth at the World Championships at the same distance, and was fourth in the 3,000 at the 1989 World Cup. At the 1990 European Championships Kießling earned a silver medal in the 1,500. She was fourth in the 1,500 at the 1989 and 1994 European Cups, placing third in 1991. Indoors she won a bronze medal at the 1989 Worlds, and a silver medal at the European Indoors the same year, both in the 800. Domestically she won the last two East German Championships in the 1,500 in 1989-90, and then in 1991-92 and 1994-95 won national titles in reunified Germany. She also won four indoor titles (1990 – East Germany, 1991-92/94 – Germany). Kießling worked as a makeup artist. She married Austrian long distance and steeplechase runner Michael Buchleitner in 1994.

Personal Best: 1500 – 4:04.44 (1989).