Marika Kilius

Marika Kilius started her career as a roller skater and was World Champion at the age of 15 in 1958. She started as a pairs roller and figure skater with Franz Ningel and placed fourth at the 1956 Olympic Games, were runner-up at the 1957 World Championships, and third in 1956. They placed third at the European Championships from 1955-57, and they also won the German roller and figure skating championships in 1955-57.

In 1957, Kilius switched to competing with Hans-Jürgen Bäumler and they became the most glamorous pair ever in Germany, winning German titles in 1958-59 and 1963-64. From 1959-64 they won six consecutive European Championships. In 1959 they were second at the World Championships, and in 1960 third. They were World Champions in 1963 and 1964, but at the Olympic Games they could only win silver twice in 1960 and 1964, despite being favored in 1964.

In 1964 their silver medals were disallowed by the IOC, as they had signed a professional contract before the Innsbruck Games. In 1966, they returned their medals to the IOC, but in 1987 received them back from the German NOC. In 2006, both had a comeback in the German jury of the TV-show Dancing on Ice. In 2011 they were inducted into the German Hall of Fame of Sports.

Directly after the 1964 Games Kilius signed a contract as a singer and was very successful in Germany (partly together with Bäumler), with their song Wenn Cowboys Träumen (If cowboys dream), ranking in the Top 10 in Germany. She also acted successfully as an actress in German movies together with Bäumler.