Paul SCHMIDT

Paul Schmidt, an 800 metre runner, was married to Charlotte Böhmer, 1954 European Championships silver medalist in the 4x100 relay. He participated in the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, failing to advance past the heats, and placed fourth four years later in Roma. At the 1958 and 1962 Europeans Schmidt earned two bronze medals. He was West German Champion in 1956-58 and 1961, also winnings indoors in 1957-59 and 1961, and he set an indoor world record for the 600 in 1962.

Schmidt had even more success after his active career as West German national middle-distance coach from 1965-96. After his retirement he still worked as a consultant for the German Athletics Association. He was awarded the DLV Needle in Gold in 1977, the Carl-Diem-Schild in 1983, the Silver Bay Leaf in 1959, the Rudolf-Harbig Memorial Award in 1961, and the Hanns-Braun-Memorial Award in 1995.

Personal Best: 800 – 1:46.2 (1959).