Martin Lauer

Martin Lauer was a multi-talented athlete. At his best in the 110 hurdles, he was 1958 European Champion, and in July 1959, in Zürich, set a world record of 13.2 that was not broken until 1972. He was ranked in the world top 10 in the high hurdles from 1956-60, ranking #1 in 1959. His best year overall was 1959, as that year he also set his decathlon best, ranked second in the world in that event, and was elected German Sportsman of the Year. He competed in the decathlon at the 1956 Olympics, ranking fifth in the world that year. Lauer was a part of two relay world records in the 4x100, in 1958 in Köln and at the 1960 Olympics, both times helping German teams run 39.5.

After the 1960 Olympics his health was damaged by sepsis caused by a non-sterile injection, which almost caused the amputation of his left leg. While in hospital, his girlfriend and brother had a severe car accident on the way to visit him, she dying at once, and his brother several years later due to his injuries. He began a career as a country singer, recording more than 40 hits in the following years, selling more than 2 millions records. His single Taxi nach Texas was awarded the Silver Lion of Radio Luxembourg in 1964. He was at the 1964 Olympics as a journalist and at the 1972 Olympics, he was responsible for the timekeeping as a representative of the Junghans Company. He later made his living as a director of the German company Triumph Adler.

Personal Bests: 100 – 10.4 (1959); 200 – 21.1 (1959); 110H – 13.2 (1959); 400H – 51.2 (1958); Dec – 7478 (1959).