Klaus Richtzenhain

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Klaus Richtzenhain becomes the 800 meter champion of the GDR in 1956

Klaus Richtzenhain (born November 1, 1934 in Berlin ) is a former German athlete who participated in the XVI. At the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, he finished second in the 1,500-meter run , behind the Irishman Ron Delany (gold) and ahead of the Australian John Landy (bronze). He took part in the games for the GDR in a team from both German states.

Klaus Richtzenhain began running training as an apprentice in Dessau in 1951 and was state champion of Saxony-Anhalt just one year later . In 1955, starting for Leipzig , he advanced to the top of the world. In 1956 he was considered the second best German runner after Siegfried Herrmann , who was eliminated in the 1500 meter lead with a tear in the Achilles tendon. After his surprising second place, he was designated the flag bearer of the German team for the final event. Klaus Richtzenhain also started in Melbourne in the 800 meter competition, but was eliminated in the preliminary run.

A second Olympic start in Rome in 1960 failed due to injuries. After the end of his sports career in 1961, he became an engineer. He lives as a pensioner in Erfurt .

Richtzenhain started for the SC Lokomotive Leipzig (trainer: Max Syring ), from the end of 1960 for the SC Turbine Erfurt (trainer: Ewald Mertens ). In his playing days he was 1.78 m tall and weighed 62 kg.

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