Wilhelm Leichum

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameFriedrich Wilhelm•Leichum
Used nameWilhelm•Leichum
Born12 May 1911 in Neu-Isenburg, Hessen (GER)
Died19 July 1941 in Gorki, Mahilyow (BLR)
Measurements174 cm / 70 kg
AffiliationsMTV Wünsdorf, Zossen (GER)
NOC Germany
Medals OG
Gold 0
Silver 0
Bronze 1
Total 1

Biography

Sprinter and long jumper Wilhelm Leichum earned a bronze medal with the sprint relay by running the first leg at the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games. He also finished fourth in the long jump only 1 cm behind Japan’s Naoto Tajima. In 1934 and 1938 Leichum was European Champion in the long jump. By profession he was a soldier in the Wehrmacht. He was killed in action during World War II in 1941 in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, and is buried at the war cemetery in Gorki. Posthumously he was promoted to captain in 1943, so that his wife and three children received a better pension.

Personal Bests: 100 – 10.4 (1936); LJ – 7.76 (1936).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1936 Summer Olympics Athletics GER Wilhelm Leichum
4 × 100 metres Relay, Men (Olympic) Germany 3 Bronze
Long Jump, Men (Olympic) =4

Special Notes