Dirk Richter

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameDirk•Richter
Used nameDirk•Richter
Born12 September 1964 in Cottbus, Brandenburg (GER)
Measurements190 cm / 85 kg
AffiliationsSC Einheit Dresden, Dresden (GER) / Dresdner SC, Dresden (GER)
NOC East Germany Germany
Medals OG
Gold 0
Silver 0
Bronze 2
Total 2

Biography

Swimmer Dirk Richter was a backstroke specialist who won two Olympic bronze medals with the 4x100 medley relay. The first was representing East Germany at Seoul in 1988, and the second with re-unified Germany at Barcelona in 1992. Richter was also ninth in the 100 back and fifth in the 200 in 1988, and placed eighth and 17th respectively over the same two distances in 1992. Due to the Soviet-led boycott of the 1984 Games he could not participate in Los Angeles.

Between 1982-91 Richter also won two medals of each color at the World Championships, with an individual gold over 100 metres in 1982, setting a new European record. Richter was even more successful at European Championships, winning two golds, seven silvers and five bronzes between 1981-91.

Nationally, Richter won 15 titles. He trained as an electromechanical engineer, but after re-unification worked as a bank clerk in München. In his youth he was a footballer.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1988 Summer Olympics Swimming (Aquatics) GDR Dirk Richter
4 × 100 metres Freestyle Relay, Men (Olympic) East Germany 3 Bronze
100 metres Backstroke, Men (Olympic) 9
200 metres Backstroke, Men (Olympic) 5
1992 Summer Olympics Swimming (Aquatics) GER Dirk Richter
4 × 100 metres Freestyle Relay, Men (Olympic) Germany 3 Bronze
100 metres Backstroke, Men (Olympic) 8
200 metres Backstroke, Men (Olympic) 17

Special Notes