Franka DIETZSCH

Four-time Olympian Franka Dietzsch was a prominent German discus thrower. She also qualified for the 2008 Beijing Olympics but withdrew two weeks prior due to bad form. Her best Olympic results were a fourth place in 1996 and sixth place four years later. She was much more successful at the World Championships, winning gold in 1999, 2005, and 2007, and had 10 participations in this competition between 1991 and 2009. She also won the 1998 World Cup and the European Championship the same year (also runner-up in 2006). At the European Cup she was champion in 2001 and 2005-07, was runner-up in 1997 and 2004 and third in 1999 and 2002. Domestically she collected 10 titles in reunified Germany from 1997-2001 and 2003-07, adding runner-up finishes in 1993-96.

For her appearances she received several awards: German Track and Field Athlete of the Year in 2005 and 2007, Rudolf-Harbig-Gedächtnispreis (Memorial Award) in 2006, and Champion of the Year in 2007. She was educated in East Germany as an industrial clerk, but later worked as a bank clerk.

Personal Best: DT – 69.51 (1999).