German medalists at Rome '60 OG's

[hj197steve]

I got REAL interested in track in 1960 and followed Rome Olympics very closely. Loved the German guys, they all seemed so cool.

Germany, with a unified team, had a great Olympics. WITHOUT LOOKING IT UP, name as many of their "in the top 6" finishers as you can. 2 golds, 5 silvers, 6 4ths, 2 5ths, 2 6ths.

[Jon]

Re: German medalists at Rome '60 OG's

Let's get things started - Armin Hary

[Double R Bar]

Re: German medalists at Rome '60 OG's

1960 was the first Games on television and I remember it well. I, too, was fascinated with the Germans and Americans. Carl Kaufmann was big favorite of mine. What a race he ran to get the silver in the 400. I also remember a German 800 runner named Paul Schmidt. He didn't medal, but I remember he was close. I don't remember any German distance runners in Rome, however I do remember Martin Lauer (110 hurdles and relay). Germany had another hurdler named Helmut Janz. I think he made the final in the 400 hurdles. The only German field event I can remember is Walter Kruger. I think he medaled in the javelin.

For the women, I remember Jutta Heine. She was second to Wilma in the 200. I saw Jutta run in Los Angeles after the 1960 Olympics. What a beautiful runner. I think Germany had some women throwers do well, but I can't remember them. 1960 was the first Olympics where I fell in love with track and field. I wish I could have been there.

[EastBayprepoftheweek67]

Re: German medalists at Rome '60 OG's

>Let's get things started - Armin Hary

Add Hans Grodotzki[sp?], 2 of the silvers in 5 & 10Ks.

Can't forget 4x100m relay Gold, culminating the collapse of the US sprint Gold hopes.

[gh]

Re: German medalists at Rome '60 OG's

After his narrow loss in the 400, why did Carl Kauffmann say, "Wait Till Next Year!"?

[Double R Bar]

Re: German medalists at Rome '60 OG's

Because he was so exhausted from his race, he forgot the next Olympics weren't until four more years and not "next year".

Actually, was there a German-American dual meet in 1961?

[Track fan]

Re: German medalists at Rome '60 OG's

Kaufmann was really from Brooklynn and represented Germany because it was much easier to make the German team(something that many other Americans have done with recent immigrant roots). I think Felix Sanchez has done this to.

[hj197steve]

Re: German medalists at Rome '60 OG's

Kaufman was born in Brooklyn ( correct spelling) which is a part of New York City. I do not believe he was raised in the USA. Rather, I believe he moved to Germany at a young age. Does anyone know more about this ?

[Rob]

Re: German medalists at Rome '60 OG's

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[Jon]

Re: German medalists at Rome '60 OG's

>I think Felix Sanchez has done this to.



Yep, he was born in NY, I believe.

[hj197steve]

Re: German medalists at Rome '60 OG's

Rob, you are truly the man here. Several comments... you did not mention Paul Schmidt 4 in 800 but somebody else alreasy did... plus Matuscheski was 6th. Only other omission is Manfred Steinbach 4 in LJ. And Zimny's a Pole.

Rob gets an A+, all others who chipped in get an A.

There Rob, just want to show you that us Americanos have at least some international interest/flavor !! It was a great meet for the Germans. Too bad Germar couldn't live up to his '58 form.

[Jon]

Re: German medalists at Rome '60 OG's

>There Rob, just want to
>show you that us Americanos have at least some international interest/flavor!!



Lol - that was fairly obvious!

[Rob]

Re: German medalists at Rome '60 OG's

..

[gh]

Re: German medalists at Rome '60 OG's

And for those who are young/non-American and wondering about the "wait till next year" reference, that was the rallying cry of the Dodger faithful for many years of drought in the win-the-World Series department.

[hj197steve]

Re: German medalists at Rome '60 OG's

>And for those who are young/non-American and wondering about the "wait till
>next year" reference, that was the rallying cry of the Dodger faithful for
>many years of drought in the win-the-World Series department.

then, finally, came 1955....