Frank Rühle was a member of the renowned Einheit Dresden four, usually rowing third seat. With Dieter Grahn, Frank Forberger, and Dieter Schubert, the four men from Dresden competed together for 11 years and were never beaten in international competition. They won the Olympic gold medal in the coxless fours in 1968 and 1972. At the World Championships, they were victorious in 1966 and 1970, and were European champions in 1967 and 1971. The crew was named Team of the Year in 1968 and 1972. They also won the East German national titles 1965-68 and 1970-71. Rühle also won a title with the eights in 1968.
Rühle played handball in his youth before turning to rowing. He became chief coach in the former GDR afer having studied sports at the DHfK in Leipzig. After reunification, he was not employed by the German Rowing Association anymore, and became the owner of a sports clothing equipment manufacturing company.
East Germany