West German rowers Jörg Puttlitz, brothers Volker and Guido Grabow and Norbert Keßlau teamed up for the coxless fours at the 1984 Los Angeles and 1988 Seoul Olympics. In 1984 the crew finished an unfortunate fourth, but in 1988 earned the bronze medal. In 1983 and 1985 the crew won the World Championships and was awarded the Silver Bay Leaf, Germany’s highest sports award. In 1986 the crew won the silver medal at the Worlds.
From 1983-87, and in 1989, Puttlitz won the coxless fours at the national championships. In 1985-86, and 1989, he also won the coxed eights titles. By profession, Puttlitz worked as a masseur at St. Josef’s Hospital in Dortmund, later as head of physiotherapy.
West Germany