East German rower Thomas Greiner could not participate due to the Soviet-led boycott at the 1984 Los Angeles Games. However, he won the gold medal with the coxless fours at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. At World Championships, Greiner won four gold and three bronze medals in different classes.
In 1985, 1987-88, Greiner won three national titles with the eights. In 2000, he passed the national competition judge examination of the German Rowing Association, and became an international referee in 2005 with the International Rowing Association (FISA). By profession, Greiner worked as an auditing and tax advisor.