Rower Rüdiger Henning won the gold medal with the so-called Deutschland-Achter (German Eights) of famed rowing coach Karl Adam at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics. Some weeks earlier the crew has already won the West German national title. This crew was named Team of the Year in 1968 and was awarded the Silver Bay Leaf, Germany’s highest sport award. The crew then carried the Olympic Flag into the stadium at the 1972 München Olympics.
Henning started his career with Ruder-Union Arkona Berlin and won the silver medal in the coxed fours at the 1965 Europeans. As a group, the crew moved to the coxed eights in 1966 and earned the World Championship. In 1967 this boat also won the European title.
West Germany