Werner Klatt was a member of the East German gold medal winning coxed eights at the 1976 Montréal Summer Games. His rowing career started in 1969 when he won the East German national title with the coxless fours. In 1970, he won the World Championships with the coxless pairs, partnering Peter Gorny. Both men also won the East German and European titles in 1971.
In 1972, Klatt moved to the coxed eights and won the East German title from 1973-75. In 1973 the crew also won the Europeans and in 1975 the World Championships. By profession, Klatt was a member of the People’s Navy and worked with his home club ASK Vorwärts Rostock until re-unification. Thereafter, he became a reseller of mineral oils, and later owned a pharmacy.