1. Overview
Christina Lathan, born Christina Brehmer on 28 February 1958, is a retired East German sprinter who specialized in the 400 metres event. Renowned for her powerful performances, Lathan broke a world record in the 400m, becoming the first woman to officially run under 50 seconds. Throughout her career, she achieved significant success at the Olympic Games, securing multiple medals including a gold in the 4 × 400 metres relay. Her athletic journey also saw her claim numerous accolades at the European Athletics Championships and other international competitions, solidifying her place as a prominent figure in East German athletics during the late 1970s and early 1980s.
2. Early Life and Career Beginnings
Christina Lathan's journey into athletics began in her early life in East Germany, leading her to become a world-class sprinter.
2.1. Birth and Childhood
Christina Lathan was born Christina Brehmer on 28 February 1958, in Altdöbern, a municipality in Brandenburg, East Germany.
2.2. Athletic Training and Club Affiliation
Lathan began her athletics training in 1969 at the sports club SG Dynamo Senftenberg. Her talent quickly became apparent, leading to her transfer in 1973 to SC Dynamo Berlin, a major sports club known for nurturing top East German athletes. This move provided her with advanced training facilities and competitive opportunities, setting the stage for her international career.
3. Athletic Career
Christina Lathan's athletic career was marked by groundbreaking achievements and consistent medal-winning performances at the highest levels of international competition.
3.1. World Records and Personal Bests
In 1976, Lathan set a significant world record in the 400 metres with a time of 49.77 seconds. This was a historic moment, as it marked the first electronically timed performance by a woman under 50 seconds in the event. However, her record was broken just one month later by Poland's Irena Szewińska. Lathan's personal best in the 400 metres, achieved in 1980, stood at 49.66 seconds.
3.2. Olympic Games
Lathan competed in two editions of the Summer Olympics, securing four medals across the 400m individual event and the 4x400m relay.
3.2.1. 1976 Montreal Olympics
At the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, Lathan earned a silver medal in the 400 metres, finishing behind the dominant Irena Szewińska. Her time in the final was 50.51 seconds. In the 4 × 400 metres relay, she was part of the gold medal-winning East German team, alongside teammates Brigitte Rohde, 400m bronze medalist Ellen Streidt, and Doris Maletzki. The team achieved a time of 3 minutes, 19.23 seconds in their victory.
3.2.2. 1980 Moscow Olympics
Lathan returned to the Olympic stage at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow. She secured a bronze medal in the 400 metres individual event, finishing behind her compatriots Marita Koch and Jarmila Kratochvílová with a time of 49.66 seconds. In the 4x400 metres relay, Lathan was the sole returning member from the 1976 Olympic gold-winning team. Alongside her teammates Gabriele Löwe, Barbara Krug, and Marita Koch, she helped the East German team win the silver medal with a time of 3 minutes, 20.4 seconds.
3.3. European Championships
Lathan also made significant contributions at the European Athletics Championships. At the 1978 European Athletics Championships held in Prague, she earned a silver medal in the individual 400 metres, recording a time of 50.38 seconds. She also claimed another gold medal in the 4x400 metres relay with her teammates Christiane Marquardt, Barbara Krug, and Marita Koch, with their team finishing in 3 minutes, 21.20 seconds.
3.4. Other International Competitions
Beyond the Olympic and European Championships, Christina Lathan also performed admirably in other major international events. At the 1975 European Athletics Junior Championships, she showcased her early potential by winning three gold medals: in the 400 metres, the 4 × 100 metres relay, and the 4x400 metres relay. She continued her relay success at the IAAF World Cup in 1977, where she won another relay gold medal. She then duplicated this World Cup success at the 1979 IAAF World Cup, further cementing her prowess in team events. In 1979, she also competed at the Universiade in Mexico City, where she secured a bronze medal in the 400 metres with a time of 51.59 seconds.
3.5. Summary of Major Competition Results
Christina Lathan's career is highlighted by the following major international competition results:
| Year | Competition | Location | Event | Result | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | 1976 Summer Olympics | Montreal, Canada | 400m | Silver | 50.51s |
| 1976 | 1976 Summer Olympics | Montreal, Canada | 4x400m relay | Gold | 3 minutes, 19.23 seconds |
| 1978 | 1978 European Athletics Championships | Prague, Czechoslovakia | 400m | Silver | 50.38s |
| 1978 | 1978 European Athletics Championships | Prague, Czechoslovakia | 4x400m relay | Gold | 3 minutes, 21.20 seconds |
| 1979 | Universiade | Mexico City, Mexico | 400m | Bronze | 51.59s |
| 1980 | 1980 Summer Olympics | Moscow, Soviet Union | 400m | Bronze | 49.66s |
| 1980 | 1980 Summer Olympics | Moscow, Soviet Union | 4x400m relay | Silver | 3 minutes, 20.4 seconds |
4. Assessment and Legacy
Christina Lathan's overall career as a sprinter left a notable mark in the history of track and field, particularly within East German athletics.
4.1. Overall Achievements and Significance
Christina Lathan's achievements include setting a world record in the 400 metres in 1976, marking the first electronically timed sub-50 second performance by a woman. Her consistency at the highest level was demonstrated by her four Olympic medals: a gold in the 1976 4x400m relay, silver in the 1976 400m, bronze in the 1980 400m, and silver in the 1980 4x400m relay. Additionally, her multiple medals at the European Championships and her success at the European Junior Championships and IAAF World Cup events highlight her versatility and dominance in both individual and relay disciplines. Her personal best of 49.66 seconds in the 400 metres further solidified her reputation as one of the premier sprinters of her era. Lathan's career is remembered for her trailblazing world record and her consistent presence on the podium at major international athletics events.