Ralf Thienel

Ralf Thienel started rowing at age 14 and made his first strokes on the newly completed Olympic regatta course in München. In 1977 he became Junior World Champion in the double sculls and in 1979 in the quadruple sculls. In 1980 he was part of the national team, but could not start at the Olympics in Moskva because of the American-led boycott.

Thienel proved his versatility in rowing by changing to the eights, where he won German titles in 1981 and 1982, taking second places in 1983, 1984 and 1986. Together with the German eights he was also fifth at the World Championships in 1981-82. Thienel then achieved his greatest success again in double sculls by winning the silver medal at the 1986 World Championships together with Andreas Schmelz. The fourth-place at the 1988 Olympic Games, together with Christian Händle, was a worthy conclusion to his rowing career, although German double was just nominated shortly before the entry deadline.

Thienel worked as an interior designer and actively skied until shortly before his death. In 1990 Thienel was diagnosed with a brain tumor, struggling with that until 1995 when he lost the fight against the indomitable opponent.