Falk Balzer

Falk Balzer, the son of Karin Richert-Balzer – who also coached him for several years – and former pole vaulter Karl-Heinz Balzer (1921-2007), earned a silver at the 1998 European Championships in the 110 metre hurdles and also won the 1998 World Cup title. He also won the indoor national titles in 1996, 1998 and 2000, and an outdoor title in 1998. One year later he won the European Cup and a bronze at the World Indoor Championships.

Balzer published sexy sports photographs in the magazine “Stern” (No. 38/2000). But his career collapsed after a positive doping test for nandrolone in January 2001, for which he was suspended until 21 February 2003. He attempted a comeback which was derailed by an Achilles’ tendon rupture.

Personal Best: 110H – 13.10 (1998).