Sabine ENGEL

East German discus thrower Sabine Engel reached the final in Montréal and placed fifth as the third-best East German participant, behind her teammates Evelin Schlaak, who won the gold medal, and bronze medalist Gabriele Hinzmann. Four years earlier the GDR State Security Service (Stasi) tried to recruit her as the Confidential Informant “IM Regina” to spy on her teammates at her home club of SC Neubrandenburg. West German journalists later found that she had never delivered any required information.

Engel placed third at the 1977 World Cup and was runner-up at the European Cup the same year, placing fourth at the 1978 European Championships. Domestically, she was 1975 East German Champion and had several other podium finishes in the 1970s. In 1973 she set two world records (59.24 and 60.98) and managed the world’s best performance in 1977. She was ranked #3 in the world in 1977 and #5 in 1975-76 and 1978. Engel was educated as a construction draftswoman.

Personal Best: DT - 68.92 (1977).