Walter Meier

Walter Meier was an East German decathlete, participating in the 1956 Melbourne Olympics (sixth) and 1960 in Roma (16th). Meier won a bronze medal at the 1958 European Championships. Domestically Meier won four high jump titles, two pentathlon and two decathlon titles, as well as two relay titles.

From 1928-44 he was educated at the National Political Education Institute, although he eventually became an adult and sports teacher. He also was employed as a coach of his home club SC Chemie Halle, and as executive head coach for decathlon with the East German Track and Field Association. In 1964 Meier published his first book As an Athlete Around the World, and then wrote several articles and short stories for the local press and the magazine Eulenspiegel. As a pensioner he discovered his literary talents and in 2007 wrote Interview with Myself, a remarkable and highly readable book.

Personal Best: Dec – 7294 (1958).