Karl Schäfer

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games • Non-starter • Other
SexMale
Full nameKarl Martin Alois•Schäfer
Used nameKarl•Schäfer
Nick/petnamesKarli
Born17 May 1909 in Wien (Vienna), Wien (AUT)
Died23 April 1976 in Purkersdorf, Niederösterreich (AUT)
Measurements180 cm
Affiliations1.W.A.S.C., Wien (AUT) / EK Engelmann, Wien (AUT)
NOC Austria
Medals OG
Gold 2
Silver 0
Bronze 0
Total 2

Biography

Karl Schäfer was a child prodigy, excelling both in sports and music. He won seven Austrian titles in the swimming pool, and competed in the 1928 Olympics in the breast stroke. He was more successful in figure skating, which he learned on Eduard Engelmann’s rink, the first artificial outdoor rink.

Schäfer would later marry Eduard’s daughter Christine, who was the sister of 1924 Olympic champion Helene Engelmann. From 1929 until 1936 he dominated the sport, winning eight Austrian, eight European, seven World and two Olympic titles. Another attempt to compete in swimming in 1936 failed due to an accident during the first Olympic torch relay. He suffered severe burns and had to give up swimming.

Schäfer retired after the Garmisch Olympics, and turned pro the following year and toured the United States. In 1940, he co-founded the Wiener Eisrevue (at the time still Karl-Schäfer-Revue). In 1943, he appeared in a movie revue Der weiße Traum.

After the war he was a figure skating coach, first in the United States, and later in his native Austria. His musicality was trained during music studies that were completed with director of music examination. In 1997, the annual Vienna Cup figure skating competition was renamed the Karl Schäfer Memorial in his honor.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1928 Summer Olympics Swimming (Aquatics) AUT Karl Schäfer
200 metres Breaststroke, Men (Olympic) 4 h2 r2/3
1928 Winter Olympics Figure Skating (Skating) AUT Karl Schäfer
Singles, Men (Olympic) 4
1932 Winter Olympics Figure Skating (Skating) AUT Karl Schäfer
Singles, Men (Olympic) 1 Gold
1936 Summer Olympics Swimming (Aquatics) AUT Karl Schäfer
200 metres Breaststroke, Men (Olympic) DNS
1936 Winter Olympics Figure Skating (Skating) AUT Karl Schäfer
Singles, Men (Olympic) 1 Gold

Other participations

Games Role NOC As
1936 Winter Olympics Flagbearer at the Opening Ceremony AUT Karl Schäfer

Olympic family relations

Special Notes