Biography of Klaus Wolfermann

Klaus Wolfermann (born 31 March 1946 in Altdorf bei Nürnberg; died 18 December 2024) was a German track and field athlete and Olympic champion in the javelin throw. In 1972 he won gold in Munich for West Germany, and in 1973 he set a world record with 94.08 metres. His sporting name remains closely connected with one of the narrowest javelin finals in Olympic history.

From gymnastics to javelin

Wolfermann came from Franconia and did not begin in javelin throwing. He practiced gymnastics, played handball and competed in athletics, pentathlon and decathlon before his talent for throwing became clear. At 1.76 metres he was relatively small for a javelin thrower, but developed exceptional technique, dynamism and competitive strength. Between 1969 and 1974 he became West German champion six years in a row.

Munich 1972

On 3 September 1972 Wolfermann won gold at Munich's Olympic Stadium. In the fifth round he threw 90.48 metres, two centimetres ahead of Jānis Lūsis, the favored thrower from the Soviet Union. Lūsis reached 90.46 metres on his final attempt. The result made the contest memorable in sporting and personal terms: the rivalry between Wolfermann and Lūsis later became a friendship.

World record and limits of the career

On 5 May 1973 Wolfermann threw 94.08 metres in Leverkusen. The world record stood for more than three years. In Germany he was named Sportsman of the Year in 1972 and 1973. An arm injury prevented him from competing at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal. After his athletics career ended, he briefly tried bobsleigh and remained connected with sport in other ways.

Engagement after competition

Wolfermann later ran a sports marketing agency and became involved in social projects. He was active in FC Olympia, appeared at events for charitable causes and supported Special Olympics. For him, sport remained more than performance and result lists: he also understood it as a way to create encounter, help and community.

Farewell

Klaus Wolfermann died on 18 December 2024 at the age of 78. He was survived by his wife and daughter. His memory remains connected with precision, courage in competition and a moment in which two centimetres decided Olympic gold.