Günther Pfaff

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games • Other
SexMale
Full nameGünther•Pfaff
Used nameGünther•Pfaff
Born12 August 1939 in Steyr, Oberösterreich (AUT)
Died10 November 2020 in Garsten, Oberösterreich (AUT)
Measurements177 cm / 73 kg
AffiliationsSV Forelle Steyr, Steyr (AUT)
NOC Austria
Medals OG
Gold 0
Silver 0
Bronze 1
Total 1

Biography

Günther Pfaff competing in canoeing at four Olympic Games, those of 1964, 1968, 1972, and 1976, winning a bronze medal in 1968 in the K2-1000 alongside Gerhard Seibold. He and Seibold won a World title in 1970 in the same event, and Pfaff won four medals at the World Championships, adding a K4 silver in 1966, and in 1971, again alongside Seibold, won silver in the K2-1000 and bronze in the K2-500.

Pfaff’s career was spent with Steyrer Werke and Wiener Städtische Versicherung. He stayed active most of his life, until 2018 when he suffered a heart attack while hiking and was in poor health for his final two years. In 1996 Pfaff had been given the Golden Merit of the Republic of Austria for his achievements.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1964 Summer Olympics Canoe Sprint (Canoeing) AUT Günther Pfaff
Kayak Singles, 1,000 metres, Men (Olympic) 5
Kayak Doubles, 1,000 metres, Men (Olympic) Kurt Heubusch DNS
Kayak Fours, 1,000 metres, Men (Olympic) Austria 4 h3 r3/4
1968 Summer Olympics Canoe Sprint (Canoeing) AUT Günther Pfaff
Kayak Singles, 1,000 metres, Men (Olympic) DNS
Kayak Doubles, 1,000 metres, Men (Olympic) Gerhard Seibold 3 Bronze
Kayak Fours, 1,000 metres, Men (Olympic) Austria 7
1972 Summer Olympics Canoe Sprint (Canoeing) AUT Günther Pfaff
Kayak Singles, 1,000 metres, Men (Olympic) 4 h3 r3/4
Kayak Doubles, 1,000 metres, Men (Olympic) Helmut Hediger 7
1976 Summer Olympics Canoe Sprint (Canoeing) AUT Günther Pfaff
Kayak Singles, 1,000 metres, Men (Olympic) 6 h1 r3/4
Kayak Doubles, 1,000 metres, Men (Olympic) Hans Peter Mayr 5 h1 r3/4

Other participations

Games Role NOC As
1976 Summer Olympics Flagbearer at the Opening Ceremony AUT Günther Pfaff

Special Notes