Renate Stecher

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games • Other
SexFemale
Full nameRenate•Stecher (Meißner-)
Used nameRenate•Stecher
Born12 May 1950 in Süptitz, Dreiheide, Sachsen (GER)
Measurements170 cm / 71 kg
AffiliationsSC Motor Jena, Jena (GER)
NOC East Germany
Medals OG
Gold 3
Silver 2
Bronze 1
Total 6

Biography

In 1973, Renate Stecher became the first woman to run 100 metres under 11 seconds. Her legendary duels with the West German sprinters, especially Annegret Richter and Anne Kroniger, became well-known. In addition to her six Olympic medals with three golds, winning the sprint double of the 100 and 200 and a silver in the sprint relay in 1972, Stecher won four European Championships, in 1969 in the 4×100, in 1971 in the 100 and 200 metres, and again in 1974 with the sprint relay. Additionally she won a 1969 European silver medal in the 200, in 1971 with the relay, and in 1974 in the 100 and 200. She also earned four more titles at the European Indoor Championships between 1970 and 1974, and also won 22 national titles. During her career she set 34 world records in various sprint distances both indoors and out, including relays.

After her active career Stecher studied sports science and worked as a sports teacher. After German reunification she lost her job and was employed by the Students Services and with the anti-doping agency of the German Track and Field Association. She married hurdler Gerd Stecher, and in 2011 was inducted into the German Sports Hall of Fame.

Personal Bests: 100 – 10.8 (1973); 200 – 22.38 (1973).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1972 Summer Olympics Athletics GDR Renate Stecher
100 metres, Women (Olympic) 1 Gold
200 metres, Women (Olympic) 1 Gold
4 × 100 metres Relay, Women (Olympic) East Germany 2 Silver
1976 Summer Olympics Athletics GDR Renate Stecher
100 metres, Women (Olympic) 2 Silver
200 metres, Women (Olympic) 3 Bronze
4 × 100 metres Relay, Women (Olympic) East Germany 1 Gold

Other participations

Games Role NOC As
1972 Summer Olympics Flagbearer at the Closing Ceremony GDR Renate Stecher

Special Notes