Javelin thrower Anneliese Gerhards was married to decathlete and non-Olympian Heinz-Willy Gerhards. She took part in three Olympic Games, in 1960-64 for the Unified German team and in 1972 for West Germany, always reaching the final. Her best Olympic placement was eighth in 1964. She also placed fourth at the 1962 European Championships and was fifth in 1971, missing the final in 1966. Domestically Gerhards was West German Champion in 1961-66, and 1971. In her youth she was an avid handball player.
