Walter Rantasa

Austrian rower Walter Rantasa participated at the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics in the lightweight double sculls partnering Luggi Sigl. The pair finished fifth in the A-final. Rantasa became one the most successful Austrian rowers ever, winning four gold, two silver, and one bronze medal at World Championships. In the lightweight double sculls, partnering Christoph Schmölzer, he was world champion in 1989, and with the quadruple sculls in 1993-95. In 1991 and 1992, Rantasa was runner-up in the lightweight double sculls with Schmölzer, and in 1990 they came third.

Rantasa was sporting director with the Austrian Rowing Association between 2002-03. By profession, he became deputy CEO of an IKEA furniture store.