Gisela Birkemeyer

Gisela Birkemeyer

Gisela Birkemeyer in 1960
Personal information
Birth name	Gisela Köhler
Nationality	German
Born	22 December 1931 Ore Mountains (Germany)
Height	1.62 m (5 ft 4 in)
Weight	60 kg (130 lb)
Sport
Sport	Sprint running, hurdles
Club	SC Dynamo Berlin
Medal record Representing  Germany Olympic Games 1956 Melbourne 80 m hurdles 1960 Rome 80 m hurdles European Athletics Championships 1958 Stockholm 80 m hurdles

Gisela Birkemeyer (née Köhler on 22 December 1931) is a retired German sprint runner who won two medals in the 80 m hurdles at the 1956 and 1960 Olympics. During her career she set nine world records in the 80 m hurdles and in the 4×100 m, 4×110 yd and 4×200 m relays. She won 40 East German championships, mostly in the 80 m hurdles (1953–1961) and 200 m sprint (1956–1960).^[1] At the European Championships in Stockholm in 1958, she was third in the 80 m hurdles. In 1959, she was voted GDR Sportswoman of the Year.^[2]

Earlier in 1957 she married Heinz Birkemeyer and since 1960 competed under his name. After retiring from competitions she worked as a coach.^[2] She now lives as a pensioner in Berlin Marzahn.^[3]

References

1. Leichtathletik – Deutsche Meisterschaften – Halle (Staffeln – Herren – Teil 1). Sport-komplett.de. Retrieved on 25 May 2015.
2. Gisela Köhler-Birkemeyer. sports-reference.com
3. Birkemeyer. Luise-berlin.de. Retrieved on 25 May 2015.