Stephan Freigang

Former East German Stephan Freigang won nine major city marathons: 1987 Budapest, 1991 Palermo, 1993/98 Frankfurt, 1997 Cologne, 1998-99 Hannover, and in 2001, Leipzig and Lisbon. In addition, he was runner-up in 1995 at Tokyo and 2002 at Leipzig. In 1989, he had a severe motorcycle accident, which brought his active career in question, but he recovered totally and came back in 1990. At the 1992 Barcelona Olympics he planned to start in the 10,000 but failed the German qualification norm. As the winner of the Palermo Marathon he did qualify for the marathon, winning the bronze medal in dramatic finish. He reached the Olympic Stadium in third but was passed by the Japanese Takeyuji Nakayama within the stadium. Closely before the finish line Freigang re-passed him, finishing just two seconds ahead. Freigang also ran the 1996 Olympic marathon, but abandoned the race.

Freigang took part in three World Championships (1991/93 [marathon], 1995 [10K]) and two European Championships (1994 [10K], 1998 [marathon]) with limited success. Domestically he won one title in the former GDR over 10K in 1989, and then 11 titles in the reunified Germany (mostly in marathon and half-marathon). Freigang was educated as a qualified sports teacher.

Personal Best: Mar – 2-09:45 (1990).