Cornelia OSCHKENAT

In 1985 Cornelia Oschkenat married Andres Oschkenat, bronze medal winner in the 60 hurdles at the 1983 European Indoors. She finished eighth in the 100 hurdles at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, but she had more success at the World and European Championships. In 1987 she earned a bronze in the 100 hurdles and a silver with the sprint relay at the Worlds, and claimed a silver at the 1986 Europeans in the hurdles. Oschkenat also won the 100 hurdles at the 1985 and 1989 World Cups, also winning with the relay in 1989. She also won the hurdles at the 1987 and 1989 European Cups. Indoors she won the 1987 Worlds and claimed bronze in 1989, adding three golds in the European Indoors in 1985, 1986 and 1988. Oschkenat set eight world records, all over indoors hurdle distances.

Many documents on doping in the former GDR became public after reunification, and Oschkenat’s name was found in the list of doped athletes. After German reunification she and her husband owned a Chinese restaurant together, but they were forced to close it in 2001 when they lost a law suit to the former owners concerning the property. Both then opened another Chinese restaurant. Oschkenat was a distant cousin of hammer thrower Betty Heidler.

Personal Best: 100H – 12.45 (1987).