Thomas Rupprath

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameThomas•Rupprath
Used nameThomas•Rupprath
Born16 March 1977 in Neuss, Nordrhein-Westfalen (GER)
Measurements182 cm / 78 kg
AffiliationsSG Bayer Wuppertal/Uerdingen/Dormagen, Wuppertal (GER)
NOC Germany
Medals OG
Gold 0
Silver 1
Bronze 1
Total 2

Biography

Versatile swimmer Thomas Rupprath was one of the most successful ever male German swimmers. He was a three-time Olympian from 2000 at Sydney to 2008 at Beijing. He won bronze and silver medal with the 4x100 IM relay in 2000 and 2004 respectively. Individually, he reached the 100 metres butterfly final in 2000 and 2004, placing seventh and an unfortunate fourth. In 2008, his performance was poor and, as he himself stated: “This had nothing to do with competitive sports”.

Rupprath was one of the world’s leading 50 metres backstroke swimmer in the early 2000s, winning the gold medal at the 2003 World Championships, and two silvers in 2001 and 2007, and another silver with the 4x100 IM relay in 2001. At the Short-Course Worlds, he also won a gold medal in 2004 over 50 metres back, and three silvers and one bronze medal in different events. During his career, Rupprath set eight world records.

At European Championships, Rupprath won 28 gold medals, 15 silvers, and five bronze medals, and nationally he won 77 titles. He was awarded the Silver Bay Leaf, Germany’s highest sports award. In 2005, he was elected Swimmer of the Year in Germany. He later co-commentated international competitions like the 2012 Olympics at London with the German TV channel Eurosport. He also participated in several entertainment format programmes with TV channel RTL. By profession, he became a freelance motivational speaker.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
2000 Summer Olympics Swimming (Aquatics) GER Thomas Rupprath
100 metres Butterfly, Men (Olympic) =7
200 metres Butterfly, Men (Olympic) 15
4 × 100 metres Medley Relay, Men (Olympic) Germany 3 Bronze
2004 Summer Olympics Swimming (Aquatics) GER Thomas Rupprath
100 metres Butterfly, Men (Olympic) 4
4 × 100 metres Medley Relay, Men (Olympic) Germany 2 Silver
2008 Summer Olympics Swimming (Aquatics) GER Thomas Rupprath
100 metres Backstroke, Men (Olympic) 33
100 metres Butterfly, Men (Olympic) 44

Special Notes