Karin Illgen

Discus thrower Karin Illgen finished 10th at the 1968 Mexico Olympic Games with the East German team. In 1969 she earned a bronze medal at the European Championships and was eliminated in the qualifying round two years later. She won the European Cup in 1967 and 1970, winning East German titles in 1967, 1968 and 1971, but she was not chosen for the 1972 East German Olympic team due to private reasons.

Ilgen was an educated travel agent who later returned to veteran’s competitions in discus, shot put, javelin and throwing pentathlon after German reunification, earning several podium places at European and World Championships.

Personal Best: DT – 63.66 (1970).