Sprinter Heide-Elke Gaugel won the bronze medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics with the 4x400 relay, where she placed fifth with the 4x100 m relay. In the 100 and 200 metres she was eliminated in the semifinals. She was also nominated for the 1980 Moscow Olympics, but due to the US-led boycott could not start. She took part in the 1982 and 1986 European Championship, winning a silver medal with the 4x400 m relay in 1986. In 1981 and 1985 she participated in the European Cup, and in 1980, 1982 and 1986 sprinted at the European Indoors. Domestically she collected 17 national titles in the distances between 60 and 200 metres and in relays. Twice she bettered indoor relay world records: in 1980 in the 4x200 and in 1981 in the 4x400m. She later married middle distance runner Harald Hudak. For some years the pair lived in Singapore and Indonesia. Gaugel was educated as a steno office clerk and worked as a bank clerk.
Personal Bests: 100 – 11.15 (1985); 200 – 22.56 (1985); 400 – 52.83 (1985).
West Germany