Rüdiger Helm

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameRüdiger•Helm
Used nameRüdiger•Helm
Born6 October 1956 in Neubrandenburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (GER)
Measurements188 cm / 87 kg
AffiliationsSC Neubrandenburg, Neubrandenburg (GER)
NOC East Germany
Medals OG
Gold 3
Silver 0
Bronze 3
Total 6

Biography

East German flatwater canoeist Rüdiger Helm became one of the world’s most successful sprint canoeists. He won 19 World Championship medals (ten gold, six silver and three bronze). He also won three gold and three bronze medals at Olympic Games. At Montréal in 1976 he won gold in the K-1 1,000, and bronze medals in the K-1 500 and K-4 1000. Four years later in Moscow he won gold in K-1 1000 and K-4 1000, and a bronze in the K-2 500 event.

Helm later turned to coaching, but became jobless after German re-unification. He then moved to Austria as chief coach until 1992. From 1992-2008 he was head of the local construction yard at Timmendorfer Strand. He then became National Coach of the Dragon Boat Class for one year, until 2009.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1976 Summer Olympics Canoe Sprint (Canoeing) GDR Rüdiger Helm
Kayak Singles, 500 metres, Men (Olympic) 3 Bronze
Kayak Singles, 1,000 metres, Men (Olympic) 1 Gold
Kayak Fours, 1,000 metres, Men (Olympic) East Germany 3 Bronze
1980 Summer Olympics Canoe Sprint (Canoeing) GDR Rüdiger Helm
Kayak Singles, 1,000 metres, Men (Olympic) 1 Gold
Kayak Doubles, 500 metres, Men (Olympic) Bernd Olbricht 3 Bronze
Kayak Fours, 1,000 metres, Men (Olympic) East Germany 1 Gold

Special Notes