Katrin KRABBE

East German sprinter Katrin Krabbe was the leading female sprinter and a glamour girl during the era of German reunification. Her biggest moments came in 1990 and 1991, when she won titles in the 100, 200 and the 4x100 relay at the 1990 European Championships. One year later she won the 1991 World Championships in the 100 and 200 m, adding two bronze medals in the relays. This made her one of the favorites for the 1992 Barcelona Games in the 100 and 200 m, but she would not be able to start because of doping problems. Krabbe was named Sportswoman in the Year in Germany and in Europe in 1990 and 1991, and in 1991 World Track and Field Athlete and World Sportswoman in the Year. In 1989 she won the European Cup in the 100 and the sprint relay. Krabbe won East German titles in the 100 in 1989 and 200 in 1990, and in reunified Germany won the 100 and 200 in 1991.

After two positive doping tests for clenbuterol in July 1991 in Zinnowitz and in 1992 at a training camp in Stellenbosch in South Africa, Krabbe, Silke Möller, and Grit Breuer were accused of drug abuse and manipulation of their urine samples by the German Track & Field Association and the IAAF. They were suspended for one year, with the IAAF adding an additional term of two years. The coach of the three sprinters was Thomas Springstein, known for dispensing PEDs to his pupils. The affair spent 5½ years in court, which eventually ended in Krabbe receiving damages of 1.5 million German marks in 2001, and the IAAF Council also paid her damages.

Krabbe was educated as a school teacher, but later owned some sporting goods shops in Neubrandenburg. Due to her court costs, she eventually went bankrupt, later working for a car dealer as a sales assistant. She married her lawyer Michael Zimmermann and gave birth to two sons.

Personal Best: 200 – 21.95 (1990).