Olaf Hense

Olaf Hense was a 400 hurdler who was eliminated in the heats at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games. He was a bronze medal winner with the German 4×400 relay at the 1993 World Championships in Stuttgart. He competed in the 400 hurdles at the 1991, 1993 and 1995 Worlds and 1990 Europeans, but never reached a final. Hense was German Champion in the 400 hurdles in 1991, 1992 and 1995, also winning in 1992 with the 4x400 relay. Indoors he won the title in 1993, adding relay wins in 1993 and 1998.

Hense was educated as a fitter, studied mechanical engineering, and later headed a glass construction company. He also became chairman of the sports foundation in his hometown of Schwerte. Hense married Tina Balke and became the son-in-law of 800 runner Jörg Balke and his wife Rosemarie Klute.

Personal Best: 400H – 48.48 (1993).