Hanns Braun

Hanns Braun was an educated sculptor and had studied arts in Munich and architecture in Berlin. In 1909, 1910 and 1912 be became German champion in the 400 metres and in 1909, 1911, and 1912 he became British AAA champion in the 880 yards. He also set one indoor world record over 1,000 metres. Braun was the first German world-class track and field athlete. He earned three medals during his two Olympic appearances 1908 and 1912. In London he won the bronze medal over 800 and the silver medal with the 4x400 relay. Four years later he added another silver over 400, there he also placed sixth over 800 metres.

At the start of World War I Braun enlisted with the Volunteer Replacement Infantry Battalion of the German Life Guards. He later joined the ground staff of the Imperial German Air Service, but was commissioned as a pilot in October 1916, and also became a flying instructor. He died in October 1918 in an air collision with another plane of his own Jasta Regiment, just north of Saint Quentin, France.

His father was the famous painter Louis Braun. In his honor, the German Athletics Association awards the “Hanns-Braun-Gedächtnispreis” every year for outstanding achievements and special merits in leading athletics positions. In 2008 Braun was inducted into the German Sports Hall of Fame.

Personal Bests: 400 – 48.3 (1912); 800 – 1:53.0e (1912); 1500 – 4:14.6 (1908).