Johan Meimer

Estonian track and field athlete Johan Meimer was a national champion, sporting figure, and soldier. Meimer began his education in Estonia before later graduating from the University of Physical Education in Berlin in 1928. The same year he competed at the Amsterdam Olympics, finishing in eighth place in the javelin and in 13th place in the decathlon. Meimer was a two-time Estonian champion in both the javelin (1925, 1926), and in the decathlon (1929, 1930). He also set a national record in the pentathlon in 1928 and in the 200 metres hurdles in 1930.

In 1930 Meimer became the gymnastics teacher at the school and gym in Pärnu. From 1932 to 1933 he chaired the athletics department of Pärnu Health, before chairing and founding the Pärnu Sports Club. He continued to work in gymnastics until 1941 when he was mobilised into the German Army during World War II. In late 1944 Meimer was arrested and made a prisoner-of-war. In December 1944 he was killed by Soviet soldiers while trying to escape as he was being transported to a new prison.

Personal Bests: JT – 64.04 (1934); Dec – 5636 (1928).