Martin Lauer

Olympic medal record
Men’s Athletics
Competitor for  Germany
Gold	1960 Rome	4x100m relay

Karl Martin Lauer (born 2 January 1937) is a former West German athlete, winner of gold medal in 4x100 m relay at the 1960 Summer Olympics.

Born in Cologne, Lauer was a German champion in 110 m hurdles from 1956 to 1960 and in decathlon in 1956.

At the 1956 Summer Olympics, Lauer finished fourth in 110 m hurdles and was fifth in decathlon. At the 1958 European Championships, Lauer won the gold in 110 m hurdles. In 1958 Lauer also ran his first world record, being a member of German's 4x100 m relay team, which ran 39.5. In 1959, Lauer ran his second world record (13.2), this time in his main event of 110 m hurdles. At the end of the year he was named Athlete of the Year by the sportsmagazine Track & Field News, the first ever of the annual election.

At the Rome Olympics Lauer was again fourth in 110 m hurdles and ran the anchoring leg in the German's 4x100 m relay team. In the final the Germans finished second behind the United States, but 15 minutes after the final it was announced that the USA had been disqualified for an incorrect exchange. Germany's time, 39.5 equalled their own world record.

After the Olympics Lauer was forced to retire from sports due the injury. He worked as Director for Triumph Adler for many years.

Between 1962 and 1968 he published numerous records, singing in the country-style, and sold about 9 million copies.

References

Sports Reference

Awards
Preceded by Fritz Thiedemann	German Sportsman of the Year 1959	Succeeded by Georg Thoma
Preceded by —	Track & Field Athlete of the Year 1959	Succeeded by Rafer Johnson

Persondata
Name	Lauer, Martin
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	2 January 1937
Place of birth
Date of death
Place of death