Annelie EHRHARDT

East German hurdler Annelie Jahns married sprint canoer Manfred Ehrhardt in 1970 and took his name, by which she became best known. She won the gold medal in the 100 metre hurdles in 1972, becoming the first East German Olympic Champion in this event, winning in a world record 12.59. She failed to advance in the 1976 semifinal after the race had to be repeated: the Soviet Russian Lyubov Kononova was interfered with in the first heat, also taking Valeria Ştefănescu to the ground. Ehrhardt would have qualified in the original heat, but failed to advance in the re-run.

At the European Championships Ehrhardt won silver in 1971 and gold in 1974, and was European Cup winner in both 1973 and 1975. At the European Indoor Championships she won titles in 1972-73, and was runner-up in 1971 and 1975. Domestically Ehrhardt won 11 titles. In all she set 20 world records over various hurdle distances, indoors and out. She was educated as a photo laboratory assistant.

Personal Best: 100H – 12.3 (1973).