West German swimmer Petra Zindler reached the 200 and 400 metres individual medley finals at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. She finished seventh in the 200 and won the 400 bronze medal. In the 200 metres butterfly she placed 14th overall. At the European Championships she added one silver medal in 1983 with the 4x200 metres freestyle relay, and also two bronze medals that year in the 400 individual medley. She added another bronze in 1985 in the 200 metres butterfly.
From 1981-85 Zindler won German national titles both in the 200 and the 400 metres individual medley. She also won national titles at 200 metres breaststroke in 1981 and 1982, 200 metres butterfly in 1983 and 1985, and 200 metres freestyle, also in 1985.