Helga Henning

Helga Henning placed seventh in the 400 metres at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, becoming the first German woman to better 53 seconds when she recorded 52.89 in the final. She also placed fourth and fifth at the 1962 and the 1966 European Championships. In 1967 she again placed fifth, this time at the European Cup. Domestically Henning won West German titles in the 400 in 1962, 1963, 1966 and 1968; indoor titles in 1961, 1963, 1966 and 1967; adding two relay titles outdoors and three indoors. In 1963 she set two 400 world records outdoors and indoors, and one indoor relay world record in the 4x200.

Henning was educated as a men’s tailor and later married non-Olympian long distance runner Wolfgang Fricke. For her sporting achievements she was awarded the Hermann-Seiffart-Gedächtnispreis (Memorial Award) in 1974.

Personal Best: 400 – 52.89 (1968).