Wolfgang GEDICKE

As the Allied Troops did not allow German sportsmen to compete in military or paramilitary competitions directly after World War II, modern pentathlon and fencing could only be practiced by special units such as the police. Wolfgang Gödicke was, however, a policeman by profession and was therefore able to train for the modern pentathlon.

The West German modern pentathlon delegation then won the inter-national qualifying against East Germany and Gödicke was selected for the team to go to the 1960 Roma Olympics. The West German team finished a disappointing 16th, however, while Gödicke also disappointed with 28th in the individual competition. A year later the German Federation for Modern Pentathlon was founded. Four years later, at Tokyo, Gödicke finished far better with 12th in the individual event and sixth with the team. In 1962, Gödicke won his only West German national title.