Manfred KINDER

Three-time Olympian Manfred Kinder started for the mixed German team in 1960 and 1964, for the West German team in 1968. With the 4x400 relay he won a silver medal in 1960 and a bronze medal in 1968. He also reached the 400 final in Roma, placing fifth. Kinder earned four medals at the European Championships: 4x400 gold / 400 silver in 1962, and 4x400 silver / 400 bronze in 1962. At the 1965 European Cup he was second in the 400 and first in the relay. Domestically he won 9 outdoor and 10 indoor titles. In the 1960s Kinder was among the world’s best 400 runners, world ranking #6 in 1961.

Kinder was educated as a motor mechanic, but eventually became a German police officer, where he became Sports Director of the Police Sports Education Site, and from 1970-96 was Director of the Department of the Athletics Committee of the German Police Sports Board of Trustees. He was awarded the German Athletics Silver Needle in 1971, the Golden Needle in 1983, the Rudolf-Harbig-Gedächtnispreis (Memorial Award) in 1965, the Silver Bay Leaf in 1960, and the Sports Badge of North Rhine Westfalia in 1966. From 1970-72 he was assistant coach for West German 400 hurdlers, and was national coach for the 400 from 1972-80.

Personal Bests: 400 – 45.8 (1960); 800 – 1:46.7 (1966).