Renate Stecher

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).