Hartwig Gauder
Biographical information
| Roles | Competed in Olympic Games |
|---|---|
| Sex | Male |
| Full name | Hartwig•Gauder |
| Used name | Hartwig•Gauder |
| Born | 10 November 1954 in Vaihingen an der Enz, Baden-Württemberg (GER) |
| Died | 22 April 2020 in Erfurt, Thüringen (GER) |
| Measurements | 186 cm / 70 kg |
| Affiliations | SC Turbine Erfurt, Erfurt (GER) / TSV Erfurt, Erfurt (GER) |
| NOC |  East Germany  Germany |
| Medals | OG |
| Gold | 1 |
| Silver | 0 |
| Bronze | 1 |
| Total | 2 |
Biography
Hartwig Gauder, whose fourth Olympic participation was prevented by the Soviet-led boycott in 1984, grew up in Vaihingen an der Enz, West Germany, but his family moved to East Germany in 1960 when they inherited a house at Ilmenau, Thüringen. As an East German walker, he was World Champion in the 50 km. in 1987 and European Champion in 1986. Walking for Germany, he won a bronze medal in the 1991 World Championship 50 km. Gauder was world-ranked in the top 10 every year from 1980-1992, save 1989, and was ranked #1 in 1980, and 1985-1987.
In 1995 he was found to have a viral heart infection, causing cardiomyopathy. After living with an artificial heart for several months, he received a heart transplant. After the heart transplant, he took part in the New York City Marathon several times, ironically once being disqualified from the race. As a disabled participant, due to his transplant, he was disqualified for bettering the minimum time. His recovery from near-death to a normal life was covered in a documentary shown on the German documentary channel Phoenix. In 2003 he climbed Mount Fuji, Japan’s highest mountain.
Personal Best: 50kmW – 3-39:45 (1988).
Results
| Games | Discipline (Sport) / Event | NOC / Team | Pos | Medal | As | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 Summer Olympics | Athletics | GDR |
Hartwig Gauder | |||
| 50 kilometres Race Walk, Men (Olympic) | 1 | Gold | ||||
| 1988 Summer Olympics | Athletics | GDR |
Hartwig Gauder | |||
| 50 kilometres Race Walk, Men (Olympic) | 3 | Bronze | ||||
| 1992 Summer Olympics | Athletics | GER |
Hartwig Gauder | |||
| 50 kilometres Race Walk, Men (Olympic) | 6 |
Special Notes
- Listed in Olympians Who Won a Medal at the European Athletics Championships (1–0–1 1986 Stuttgart gold: 50 km walk (competed for East Germany); 1990 Split bronze: 50 km walk (competed for East Germany))
- Listed in Olympians Who Won a Medal at the European Athletics Indoor Championships (1–0–0 1981 Grenoble gold: 5000 m walk (competed for East Germany))
- Listed in Olympians Who Won a Medal at the World Athletics Championships (1–0–1 1987 Rome gold: 50 km walk (competed for East Germany); 1991 Tokyo bronze: 50 km walk (competed for Germany))