Dieter Grahn

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameDieter•Grahn
Used nameDieter•Grahn
Born20 March 1944 in Sobótka, Dolnośląskie (POL)
Measurements189 cm / 86 kg
AffiliationsSC Einheit Dresden, Dresden (GER)
NOC East Germany
Medals OG
Gold 2
Silver 0
Bronze 0
Total 2

Biography

Dieter Grahn was a member of the renowned Einheit Dresden four, usually rowing third seat. With Frank Rühle, Frank Forberger, and Dieter Schubert, the four men from Dresden competed together for 11 years and were never beaten in international competition. They won the Olympic gold medal in the coxless fours in 1968 and 1972. At the World Championships, they were victorious in 1966 and 1970, and were European champions in 1967 and 1971. The crew was named Team of the Year in 1968 and 1972.

Grahn also won a European silver medal with Forberger in the coxless pairs in 1969, the same year that they also won the East German national title. Grahn was also in the coxless fours crew that won the national title from 1965-68 and 1970-71.

Grahn worked as a coach from 1980, and was very successful with East German rowers until reunification. He then became a youth coach in Dortmund and took over the German coxed eights after a disappointing season in 2000. He worked with them very successfully until 2008.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1968 Summer Olympics Rowing GDR Dieter Grahn
Coxless Fours, Men (Olympic) East Germany 1 Gold
1972 Summer Olympics Rowing GDR Dieter Grahn
Coxless Fours, Men (Olympic) East Germany 1 Gold