Christina HEINICH

East German sprinter Christina Heinich, who later married cyclist Michael Schiffner, placed fifth in the 200 metres, and won the silver medal at the 1972 München Olympics together with Evelin Kaufer, Bärbel Struppert and Renate Stecher, when the relay lost the dramatic final against West Germany on the anchor leg. In the semifinals East Germany had set a world record, which was bettered by West Germany in the final.

Heinich also took part in the European Championships in 1966, 1971, and 1974, winning the gold medal with the relay in 1974. In 1967, 1970 and 1973 she was part of the GDR team at the European Cup, winning the relay again in 1973. In 1968, 1969 and 1974 she won three East German relay titles, but never won an individual championship. In her youth she was active as a hockey (field) player. After her athletic career she became an engineer/economist and worked in a construction supply company.

Personal Bests: 100 – 11.2 (1974); 200 – 22.89 (1972).