Helmut Janz

Helmut Janz won seven consecutive German Championships in the 400 hurdles (1957-63), was Rudolf-Harbig-Gedächtnispreisträger (1963), and was also awarded the Silver Bay Leaf in 1960 and the Sports Badge of North Rhine Westfalia in 1962. At the 1960 Roma Olympics he placed fourth but set a European record with 49.9. When he came down the stretch he was in the leading position, but then the three Americans Glenn Davis, Cliff Cushman and Dick Howard passed him at the last hurdle, later calling this the most disappointing moment of his life. He won a bronze at the 1962 European Championships, after being eliminated in the second round in 1958.

Günter Janz, brother of Helmut Janz, was also a national successful middle-distance runner. Helmut was educated as a bricklayer, but later worked as a sports and soccer teacher.

Personal Bests: 400 – 47.8 (1960); 800 – 1:51.9 (1961); 1000 – 2:26.0 (1957); 1500 – 3:59.4i (1959); 5000 – 16:04.6 (1968); 110H – 15.5 (1961 and 1962); 200H – 23.9 (1960); 400H – 50.5 (1960).