Hermann VON BÖNNING-HAUSEN

German athlete Hermann von Bönninghausen started his sports career mostly running under the pseudonym “Ajax.” He competed in the 1908 London and the 1912 Stockholm Olympics. In London he did not get beyond the heats of the 100 metres but also competed in the long jump with an unknown result. In Stockholm he reached the semifinals of the 110 hurdles.

In his youth von Bönninghausen played soccer in Duisburg, Bocholt and München. In 1907 he bettered the German long jump record twice to 6.56 and 6.80, and in 1911 improved the German 110 hurdles record to 16.4. By profession, von Bönninghausen was a medical doctor.

During World War I, von Bönninghausen served as a surgeon with the 5th Lancers and 7th Infantry Regiment. He was shot in the face near the end of the war, but continued to tend to his patients. He died at home in Düsseldorf shortly after World War I, when only 30, from the effects of his war wounds. He is considered the last Olympian to have died as a result of World War I.

Personal Bests: 100 – 11.1 (1907); 110H – 15.9 (1912); LJ – unknown.