Eberhard RIEDEL

Eberhard Riedel came from Oberwiesenthal in the former East Germany, and started in 1960 and 1964 for the mixed German team, and in 1968 for the East German team. He was the only alpine skier of world class from the former GDR. Concerning his nomination for the mixed German team in 1960 a bitter dispute took place, in the course of which the press official of the West German Skiing Association DSV was forced to apologize officially because of his anti-Communist statements.

Riedel had few high finishes internationally, but won 10 national titles between 1957 and 1968. After the 1968 Winter Games the government of the former GDR decided to end funding for Alpine skiing as they did not consider it a Socialist sport. Riedel, a forester by trade, then studied sports and became a coach for football (soccer), skiing and ski jumping, coaching, among others, Jens Weißflog.