Claus Heß

Together with Helmut Sauermilch Claus Heß was eliminated in the semi-finals at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics in the coxless pairs. From 1952 Heß was successful at the German Championships. He won the national title in the lightweight coxless fours in 1952, was third in the coxless fours a year later, and with Sauermilch was second in the coxless pairs in 1954, before winning the titles in 1955 and 1956. In 1959 he won his next national title with the coxed fours, and also took gold at the European Championships. In 1960 he added a silver medal with the coxed eights and a bronze with the coxless fours at the West German nationals. The same year he was awarded the Silver Bay Leaf, the highest sport award, the German Government awards to sportsmen.

After his active career he became a sports administrator. From 1966-83 he was President of the West German Rowing Association and from 1979-93 Vice President of the International Rowing Federation. He was Vice President of the West German NOC from 1974-93, and in 1988 and 1992 was the delegation manager of the (West) German Olympic Teams. In 1995 he was awarded the Olympic order in silver. He also became an Honorary President of the German Rowing Association.