Freestyle swimmer Christel Steffin from Rathenow in East Germany participated in the 1956 Melbourne Olympics in the 100 freestyle, but was eliminated in the heats. Four years later, however, she won the bronze medal at the Rome Olympics with the 4x100 freestyle relay team. She won the East German 100 freestyle title five times, in 1955-57 and 1959-60, and also won the 400 freestyle title in 1957 and 1959. At the 1958 European Championships she finished sixth in the 100 freestyle and fourth in the 4x100 medley relay.
Steffin trained as an electrician, but later worked as a sports and swimming teacher. After German reunification she came back to swimming under her married name Schulz at the age of 50 and competed in senior swimming master events all around the world, winning numerous World and European Championships.
Germany
East Germany