Gerhard Sperling

World class race walker Gerhard Sperling participated in three Olympic Games in the 20 km, 1964 for the mixed German team (ninth), and 1968 (fifth) and 1972 (fourth) for East Germany. At the 1966 and the 1969 Europeans he again placed an unfortunate fourth, but in 1971 won the silver medal. Domestically Sperling won East German titles in 1966, 1968-69 and 1971, all in the 20 km. He also set two world records.

Sperling was completely deaf, and was one of the few deaf world class athletes. All-in-all he set more than 40 deaf world records. By profession, he was a steel construction fitter. For journalists he was especially popular on account of his couple of interviews that he gave using his trainer and teammates who were versed in sign language.

Personal Best: 20kmW – 1-25:38t (1972).