Honored Master of Sports
The title of Honored Master of Sport, which was taken over by the GDR in 1953 (Soviet model: заслуженный мастер спорта СССР - Sasluschenny Master Sporta SSSR) and in 1954 was converted into a state award, was given priority for outstanding merits and successes to individuals in the field of sport of competitive sport , awarded.
It was awarded to successful athletes as well as to coaches, athletes, educators as well as sports scientists and sports officials who had rendered outstanding services to the education and training of internationally successful athletes and the creation of the appropriate conditions. In contrast to the recognition as a Master of Sports , the title of Honored Master of Sports could be awarded several times to the same person.
The award was made by the Council of Ministers of the GDR in the form of a certificate with a medal bearing the portrait of Werner Seelenbinder on the obverse , and was associated with a bonus.
Following the example of the Soviet Union as the leading power of the Eastern Bloc at that time , the sports organizations of Bulgaria , Czechoslovakia , Romania (as Maestru emerit al sportului ) and Poland had also adopted this title.