Heinz-Günther Lehmann

German Heinz-Günther “Hase” Lehmann was a long distance swimmer who was eliminated in the 1,500 metres freestyle heats at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics. At the 1950 European Championships he won the 1,500 gold medal and a bronze in the 400 freestyle. Lehmann won a staggering 35 West German titles and later, a further 19 senior championships. He was one of the first German sportsmen to receive the Silver Laurel Leaf from Federal German President Theodor Heuss. He later became a swimming coach in Übach-Palenberg and was president of the swimming section of his home club from 1952-62. By profession Lehmann was a textile merchant.