Erich BORCHMEYER

Erich Borchmeyer was one of Europe's finest sprinters in the 1930s. He tied the then World Record time of 10.3 on three occasions, but it never was ratified because of technicalities. He did set a recognized World Record as part of the German relay quartet that broke the record twice on one day in 1932. Borchmeyer also won both his Olympic medals with the German sprint relay team, silver in 1932 and bronze in 1936. He also took part over 200 metres in 1932 and finished fifth over 100 metres four years later. In 1934, he was briefly declared the winner of the 100 m at the European Championships in Torino, but was demoted a day later, after the finish photo showed Chris Berger had won. Again the 4×100 meters relay brought consolation, as the German team (with Borchmeyer, Egon Schein, Erwin Gillmeister, and Gerd Hornberger) won gold. He was German Champion in the 100 m in 1933-35 and 1937, and the 200 m 1933.

In his youth Borchmeyer was an avid tennis and soccer player. He later studied at the National Academy of Physical Education in Berlin, graduating under Prof. Otto Nerz (German national football coach 1926-36) with a degree in physical education, and he would become responsible for the Southwest and the district of Frankfurt / Main. In the summer of 1938 he became the first sportsman in Germany to use starting blocks. He later became a merchant, as the owner of a sports shop in Frankfurt. In 2000 Borchmeyer committed suicide at the age of 95 in a retirement home.

Personal Bests: 100 – 10.3 (1933); 200 – 21.4 (1929).