Hildegard Falck

Educated as a secondary school teacher, Hildegard Falck started her sports career as a swimmer and handball player before turning to track and field. She then became the world record holder over 800 m between 1971 and 1973. In 1971 she was also part of the 4 x 800 m world record relay together with Ellen Tittel, Sylvia Schenk and Christa Merten.

In 1970 Falck placed eighth at the European Indoor Championships, winning this title in 1971. At that year’s European Championships she fell and did not finish, but won the silver medal with the 4x400 relay, placing fifth in the same event in 1974. Domestically she won titles over 800 metres in 1970 and 1971 (indoor and outdoor), and 1973 outdoor. Her greatest title was her Olympic gold medal from Munich, where she won the 800 metres only 0.1 seconds ahead of Soviet Russian Nijolė Sabaitė and East German Gunhild Hoffmeister. She also won a bronze medal with the 1972 Olympic 4x400 relay team alongside Anette Rückes, Inge Bödding and Rita Wilden. In recognition of her Olympic gold medal, Falck was awarded the Silver Bay Leaf of the German Track & Field Association the same year.

Her coach during her career was her first husband Rolf Falck, also a middle distance runner. They later divorced and she married former non-Olympian modern pentathlete Dr. Klaus Kimmich, with whom she has had two children.

Personal Bests: 400 – 53.1 (1974); 800 – 1:58.45 (1971).