Ellen Strophal-Streidt

Sprinter Ellen Strophal-Streidt started under her birth name Strophal at the 1972 München Olympics and finished an unfortunate fourth in the 200 and was eliminated in the second round of the 100. Four years later, after marriage and as Strophal-Streidt, she won bronze in the 400 and gold medal with the 4x400 relay, setting a new world record.

At the European Championships she won a gold with the 4x400 relay (1974) and two silvers (400 in 1974, 4x100 in 1971). At the 1975 European Cup she finished second in the 400 and won the 4x400 relay. In 1972 she set a new world record in the 100 with 11.0.

In East Germany Strophal-Streidt claimed 400 metre individual titles in 1975, also winning indoors in 1980. She was first married to hurdler Gerd Streidt and later to decathlete Eberhard Wendland, but they divorced. In 1980, Strophal-Streidt retired from her athletic career and worked as a German teacher and as an employee of a cultural policy organization. After German reunification, she was employed by the Foundation for Palaces and Gardens in Berlin-Brandenburg.

Personal Bests: 100 – 11.0 (1972); 200 – 22.73 (1973); 400 – 50.15 (1976).