Sandra Völker

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexFemale
Full nameSandra•Völker
Used nameSandra•Völker
Born1 April 1974 in Lübeck, Schleswig-Holstein (GER)
Measurements180 cm / 75 kg
AffiliationsSport Gemeinschaft Hamburg
NOC Germany
Medals OG
Gold 0
Silver 1
Bronze 2
Total 3

Biography

Sandra Völker was a German freestyle and backstroke swimmer who participated in four consecutive Olympic Games from 1992-2004. At Atlanta in 1996 she won one silver (100 metres freestyle) and two bronze medals (50 metres free and 4x100 free relay).

Völker was even more successful at World and European Championships, winning four gold, eight silver and five bronze medals at the Worlds, and 30 gold, nine silver and six bronze medals at the Europeans. Her specialized events were the 50 metres freestyle and 50 metres backstroke. She was awarded the Silver Bay Leaf, Germany’s highest sports award, in 1993.

Nationally, Völker won 45 national titles, and also set 11 World and 18 European records. From 1997-99 she was named German Female Swimmer of the Year. During her active career, Völker was diagnosed with asthma. She retired in 2008, and in 2013 announced personal insolvency and tried to sell her Olympic medals and bathing suits. Since 2018, she worked as a freelance swimming coach and as an employee in a boutique at Timmendorfer Strand. In 2001, she founded the Sandra Völker Foundation for children suffering from allergies and asthma.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1992 Summer Olympics Swimming (Aquatics) GER Sandra Völker
100 metres Backstroke, Women (Olympic) 16
1996 Summer Olympics Swimming (Aquatics) GER Sandra Völker
50 metres Freestyle, Women (Olympic) 3 Bronze
100 metres Freestyle, Women (Olympic) 2 Silver
4 × 100 metres Freestyle Relay, Women (Olympic) Germany 3 Bronze
100 metres Butterfly, Women (Olympic) DNS
4 × 100 metres Medley Relay, Women (Olympic) Germany 6
2000 Summer Olympics Swimming (Aquatics) GER Sandra Völker
50 metres Freestyle, Women (Olympic) 6
100 metres Freestyle, Women (Olympic) 15
4 × 100 metres Freestyle Relay, Women (Olympic) Germany 4
100 metres Backstroke, Women (Olympic) 15
2004 Summer Olympics Swimming (Aquatics) GER Sandra Völker
50 metres Freestyle, Women (Olympic) 18

Special Notes