Heinz Laufer

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameKarl-Heinz•Laufer
Used nameHeinz•Laufer
Born23 May 1925 in Schwenningen, Villingen-Schwenningen, Baden-Württemberg (GER)
Died26 March 2010 in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg (GER)
Measurements179 cm / 65 kg
AffiliationsSportVg Feuerbach, Stuttgart (GER)
NOC Germany
Nationality West Germany

Biography

Heinz Laufer came in an unfortunate fourth in the steeplechase at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. The long-distance runner won six West German Championships and an additional two indoor titles. In 1959 he was awarded the Silver Bay Leaf. Laufer was a member of the German Communistic Party (DKP), and served on the council in his hometown of Stuttgart from 1968-75. In 1967 he was a founding member of the Democratic Left Party (DL) and one year later of the DKP. His special interests were social issues, housing and transport planning. After his active career Laufer became a critic of the German Athletics Federation DLV and was therefore often used as a figurehead by the GDR propaganda machine. His son Eberhard also became a long-distance runner.

Personal Best: 3000S – 8:44.53 (1956).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal Nationality As
1956 Summer Olympics Athletics GER FRG Heinz Laufer
3,000 metres Steeplechase, Men (Olympic) 4