1. Overview
Rolf Danneberg (born March 1, 1953) is a former German discus thrower who represented West Germany in international competitions. He is best known for his significant achievements at the Olympic Games, where he earned a gold medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles and a bronze medal at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. His career was marked by consistent high-level performance in the sport.
2. Early Life
Rolf Danneberg was born on March 1, 1953, in Hamburg, which was then part of West Germany. He stood at a height of 78 in (198 cm) and weighed 276 lb (125 kg) during his athletic career. He was affiliated with the Bayer 04 Leverkusen sports club.
3. Athletic Career
Rolf Danneberg's athletic career was primarily focused on the discus throw, where he competed at the highest levels of international and national competition.
3.1. Major International Competitions
Danneberg achieved considerable success in major international athletics events. His most notable accomplishments came at the Olympic Games:
- 1984 Summer Olympics:** Competing in Los Angeles, Danneberg won the gold medal in the men's discus throw with a distance of 219 ft (66.6 m).
- 1988 Summer Olympics:** Four years later, at the games held in Seoul, he secured the bronze medal in the discus throw, achieving a distance of 221 ft (67.38 m).
Beyond the Olympics, Danneberg also participated in other significant international championships:
| Year | Competition | Location | Event | Result | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | 1984 Summer Olympics | Los Angeles, United States | Discus throw | Gold | 219 ft (66.6 m) |
| 1986 | 1986 European Championships in Athletics | Stuttgart, West Germany | Discus throw | 11th | |
| 1987 | 1987 World Championships in Athletics | Rome, Italy | Discus throw | 4th | |
| 1988 | 1988 Summer Olympics | Seoul, South Korea | Discus throw | Bronze | 221 ft (67.38 m) |
| 1989 | IAAF World Cup | Barcelona, Spain | Discus throw | 3rd | 214 ft (65.3 m) |
| 1990 | 1990 European Championships in Athletics | Split, Yugoslavia | Discus throw | 6th |
3.2. Personal Bests and National Achievements
Rolf Danneberg's personal best throw in the discus was 222 ft (67.6 m), which he achieved in May 1987 in Berlin. This mark placed him among the top German discus throwers of all time. At the time, his personal best ranked him eighth among German discus throwers, behind prominent athletes such as Jürgen Schult, Lars Riedel, Wolfgang Schmidt, Armin Lemme, Hein-Direck Neu, Alwin Wagner, and Michael Möllenbeck.
Domestically, Danneberg was a highly successful athlete, becoming a three-time national champion for West Germany in the discus throw.
4. Post-Athletic Career
Following his retirement from competitive athletics, Rolf Danneberg transitioned into a coaching role. He has continued to contribute to the sport by training new generations of athletes. Notably, he coached Markus Münch for the men's discus throw event at the 2009 World Championships in Athletics held in Berlin.
5. Legacy
Rolf Danneberg's legacy in German athletics is primarily defined by his significant achievements on the world stage. As an Olympic gold medalist and Olympic bronze medalist in the demanding discipline of discus throw, he solidified his place as one of West Germany's and later Germany's most successful athletes in the event. His consistent performance, including multiple top finishes at European and World Championships, further highlights his enduring contribution to the sport. His continued involvement as a coach demonstrates his dedication to fostering talent and ensuring the continuity of excellence in German athletics.