Hermann Smiel

Hermann Smiel, the first Olympian from Cottbus, finished 76th in the 315 km individual road race at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics, which was held as an individual time trial. This helped Germany finish sixth in the team road race, although he was not among the top four German finishers. Germany was the only 11 man-team to have all squad members finish the race. In 1912 Smiel was fourth in the Berlin-Wien (Vienna) race over 550 km. In 1923 he was one of the founders of the future classic cycling race, Cottbus-Görlitz-Cottbus.

Until his death, Smiel contributed to cycling in Lausitz, and was a founding member of his home club RK Endspurt Cottbus 09. In 1950 Smiel started the cycling section at Progress Cottbus and took care of youth cyclists. In 1952, 40 years after his start at the Olympics, Smiel did a lap of honour on the Stockholm course. His two sons also became track sprinters and road cyclists.