Liselotte (Liesel) WESTERMANN

Discus thrower Liesel Westermann was one of the West German female athletics stars in the 1960s and 70s. She won a silver medal at the 1968 Mexico Olympic Games, and four years later finished fifth in München. She also earned two more silver medals at the 1966 and 1971 Europeans, finishing seventh in 1974.

Westermann won West German discus titles 1966-70, and 1972-76, also winning the shot put title in 1969, adding an indoor title in 1972, and won with the 4x100 relay in 1964. She set four discus world records (61.26, 62.54, 62.70, 63.96). For her performances she was honored in many ways. In 1967 and 1969 she was chosen West German Sportswoman of the Year; in 1967 she was World Athlete of the Year; and in 1969 was named World Sportswoman of the Year. In 1968 she received the Silver Bay Leaf, and in 1969 the Sports Badge of North Rhine Westphalia. In 2011 Westermann was inducted into the German Sports Hall of Fame.

By profession, Westermann was a graduate sports teacher. Since she was politically engaged with the Free Liberal Party FDP in Germany for several years, she eventually became an employee of the Cultural Ministry of Lower Saxony, where she was active until 2009 as a speaker for physical education and health education.

Personal Best: DT – 64.96 (1972).