Jörg WOITHE

East German Jörg Woithe’s greatest swimming accomplishment came at his first international tournament, the 1980 Moskva Olympics, where he won the 100 freestyle gold in the absence of the powerful American swimmers. He also won a silver with the East German 4x200 freestyle relay and was fourth in the 200 free and medley relay.

In addition to his Olympic medals, Woithe won a 100 free gold and 200 free bronze at the 1982 World Championships, 4x100 free relay bronze at the 1986 Worlds. At the European Championships he garnered one gold (1987 50 free), seven silvers (100 free – 1981, 1983, 1985; 1983 200 free and 4x200 free relay; and 1984 4x100 free and medley relay), and three bronzes (1983 4x100 free relay; 1981/1983 medley relay). He also won East German titles in the 50 free in 1982-83, 1985-86 and 1988; 100 free in 1979-83 and 1985; and 200 free in 1980-81.

Woithe graduated with a physical education degree from the German Institute of Physical Education and Sport in Leipzig and, after his retirement from sports, worked as a swimming coach, serving as the head coach of the Iranian national team beginning in 2012. He was also employed by companies producing swimming articles and high-performance lubricants.

Personal bests: 100 m freestyle – 50.18 (1982); 200 m freestyle – 1:50.71 (1982).