Olaf Beyer

Coached originally by his father, Gunther, Olaf Beyer took part in several World Cups as follows: 1977 – 800 (seventh), and 4×400 (fourth); 1979 – 800 (fourth); 1981 – 1500 (bronze); 1985 – 1500 (silver). He was 1978 European Champion in the 800, upsetting Steve Ovett and Sebastian Coe, who placed second and third. Between 1976 and 1989 Beyer won 19 East German titles in various distances from 800 to the 4,000 m cross country and in the 4×400 relay. At the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games he was eliminated in the semifinals over 800 metres.

Olaf Beyer finished his coaching education in 1985 and also began working as a teacher of mathematics, physics, and computer science in Potsdam. He served as an instructor in the Bureau of the Athletics Federation of Brandenburg, and later trained and coached some outstanding middle distance runners such as non-Olympian Sascha Stephan and his own son Stefan.

Personal Best: 800 – 1:43.84 (1978).