Erwin SKAMRAHL

Long sprinter Erwin Skamrahl was one of the victims of the US-led boycott of the Western countries of the 1980 Moskva Games. He then started at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics in the 400 and 4x400 relay, being eliminated in the semifinals in both events. At the 1982 World Championships Skamrahl claimed the silver medal with the 4x400 relay and placed an unfortunate fourth in the 400. He also won a gold with the 4x400 relay at the 1982 Europeans and a bronze with the 4x100 relay, again placing fourth in the 200. At the 1986 Europeans Skamrahl was eighth in the 400. At the 1982 European Indoors he won gold in the 200, his greatest individual moment in his career.

In West Germany Skamrahl earned the following national titles: 200 – 1980, 1982, 1984-85; 400 – 1981-83, 1989; 200 indoors – 1981-82, 1989; 4x400 – 1984; and 4x400 indoors – 1985. He also set three indoor world records in the 200 and 300. The policeman was married to 400 runner and non-Olympian Antje Moddenborg since 1988, and his brother Uwe also was a sprinter. In 1982 Skamrahl was awarded the Silver Bay Leaf.

Personal Best: 400 – 44.50 (1983).