Waldemar Cierpinski
Waldemar Cierpinski (born August 3, 1950) is a former East German athlete and two time Olympic Champion in the marathon.
Born in Neugattersleben, East Germany, Waldemar Cierpinski was originally a successful steeplechase runner but decided to switch to the marathon in 1974.
He was virtually unknown when he entered the 1976 Olympic marathon. He ran with the lead pack until Frank Shorter of the United States broke free after the 25 km mark. Cierpinski chased Shorter down then took the lead, winning the race by 51 seconds.
Cierpinski finished in fourth place at the 1978 European Championships but went to the 1980 Summer Olympics to defend his Olympic title stronger than ever. Cierpinski ran wisely and didn't match the suicidal pace the leaders had set. He caught up to the leaders at the 36 km mark and soon led by a healthy margin. Although Gerard Nijboer from the Netherlands narrowed the gap in the last kilometre, Cierpinski sprinted the last 200 m to win his second Olympic gold and duplicate the feat of legendary Ethiopian Abebe Bikila of winning two Olympic marathons. He also finished third at the first World Championships.
Waldemar Cierpinski is now a member of the German Olympic Committee.
| Olympic medalists in athletics (men) | Olympic Champions in Men's Marathon |
| Spiridon Louis | Michel Théato | Thomas J. Hicks | William Sherring | Johnny Hayes | Kenneth McArthur | Hannes Kolehmainen | Albin Stenroos | Boughera El Ouafi | Juan Carlos Zabala | Sohn Kee-chung | Delfo Cabrera | Emil Zátopek | Alain Mimoun | Abebe Bikila (twice) | Mamo Wolde | Frank Shorter | Waldemar Cierpinski (twice) | Carlos Lopes | Gelindo Bordin | Hwang Young-Cho | Josia Thugwane | Gezahegne Abera | Stefano Baldini |