Otto Fahr

German swimmer Otto Fahr won the silver medal in the 100 backstroke at the 1912 Stockholm Olympic Games. He was also nominated for the 400 and the 1,500 freestyle but did not start. In 1911 Fahr won national titles in the 1,500 freestyle and 100 backstroke. In 1912 he set two world records in the 100 and 200 backstroke.

Fahr was a mechanical engineer who was active in the war economy during World War II. Nevertheless, he belonged to the active resistance and was classified in 1948 as “not charged” because he helped with the destruction of several factories of the Third Reich. In 1952 he was awarded the Grand Cross of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, while in 1968 he was given the Great Cross of Merit with Star and the Great Silver Decoration of Honor for Services to the Republic of Austria.

The name of the native of Stuttgart Otto Fahr was known to many passionate swimming fans in the south of Germany. In honor of him and his athletic achievement, his home club SV Cannstatt organizes the “Dr. Otto Fahr Swim Meeting” every year.