Lutz Wanja

Lutz Wanja, who later married his swimming teammate Barbara Krause, was an East German backstroke specialist. He placed sixth and fifth in the 100 backstroke at both the 1972 München and the 1976 Montréal Olympics, respectively. On both occasions he was eliminated in the heats of the 200 back.

At the 1973 Belgrade Worlds Wanja won bronze in the 100 backstroke, and one year later at the Wien (Vienna) Europeans, took a silver medal in the same event. He also added a bronze medal with the 4x100 freestyle relay. Three years later in Jönköping Wanja won a silver medal with the medley relay. In 1971, and from 1976-78, he won East German titles in the 100 m backstroke. In 1976, he also claimed the 200 m backstroke title, and in 1976 and 1977 also won the 200 IM.

His son, Robert Wanja, was also a competitive swimmer, but never reached his parent’s heights. Lutz became a coach and was suspected to use doping practices. This, however, was never proved. After re-unification he became a base coach with the Brandenburg Swimming Association.