11 Facts About Wolfgang Nordwig

Wolfgang Nordwig was born on 27 August 1943 and is a former East German pole vaulter.

Wolfgang Nordwig competed in the 1968 and 1972 Olympics and won a bronze and a gold medal, respectively, clearing 5.50 m in 1972.

Wolfgang Nordwig was a member of the East German team, the first time East and West Germany had sent separate teams to the Olympics.

Wolfgang Nordwig was Olympic champion at the pole vault at the 1972 Munich Olympics.

Wolfgang Nordwig had never preferred the new pole so was unaffected.

Wolfgang Nordwig then cleared 5.45 m with Seagren unable to match him.

Wolfgang Nordwig then underlined his triumph by clearing 5.50 m for a new Olympic record and his personal best.

Wolfgang Nordwig won five European titles: three outdoors and two indoors.

Wolfgang Nordwig was voted by the experts at Track and Field News to be ranked among the best in the world in the pole vault in the period from 1965 to 1972.

Wolfgang Nordwig had a degree in physics and defended a PhD in economics.

Wolfgang Nordwig worked for VEB Carl Zeiss Jena eventually becoming a director of research and development.