Martina Hellmann

Olympic Champion Martina Hellmann won the discus throw in 1988 for East Germany. In 1992, she started for the reunified German team but was eliminated in the qualifying round. In 1984 she was nominated but could not start due to the Soviet-led boycott of the Los Angeles Olympics. She was also World Champion in 1983 and 1987, and placed fourth in 1991. Hellmann also won titles at the 1985 World Cup and the 1983 European Cup, where she was runner-up in 1985. She earned two bronze medals at the 1986 and 1990 European Championships. From 1985-87 she was East German Champion, and was runner-up 1991 and 1992 in Unified Germany. In an unsanctioned meet in 1988 Hellmann twice bettered the world record in 1988 (76.92 and 78.14), but the marks were never submitted to the IAAF for record approval. Her father-in-law Karl Hellmann was a well-known shot putter and later coached the javelin throw in the former GDR, coaching among others Ruth Fuchs and Petra Felke.

After her athletic career Hellman graduated as a sports scientist, and then became chairwoman of the sports club BSV AOK Leipzig. From 2000-03 she was Managing Director of the cabaret “academixer” in Leipzig.

Personal Best: DT – 72.92 (1987).