Hansjörg Kunze

Long-distance runner Hansjörg Kunze was educated as a journalist and in 1993 became a chief reporter at the Antenne MV radio station in Rostock. He also became President of the Olympia Club Rostock. Kunze was involved in the unsuccessful Olympic bid by his hometown of Rostock as the venue for the sailing competitions within the Leipzig 2012 bid. As a sports journalist he reported from track & field events around the world. Kunze later became Vice President for PR & Communications with AIDA Cruises in Rostock and in October 2013 was named Vice President for Communications & Sustainability with Costa Crociere SpA in Genua.

Kunze’s Olympic appearances started in 1980 in Moskva when he was eliminated in the semifinals of the 5K. He could not compete in 1984 due to the Soviet-led boycott. In 1988, he earned a bronze medal in the 5K and finished sixth at 10K. At the 1987 World Championships he won another bronze medal in the 10K. Kunze also ran the 5,000 in the World Cups in 1979 (fourth) and 1981 (runner-up). He won the 1979 European Cup, adding a bronze medal in 1981, both over 5,000 metres. Further international competitions were the 1982 and 1986 European Championships, and the 1983 Worlds. Kunze also won 5 indoor and 10 outdoor titles at the East German Championships over various distances.

Personal Bests: 5000 – 13:10.40 (1981); 10000 – 27:26.00 (1988).