Walter Demel was one of the world's best cross-country skiers for two decades. The Bayreuth native took part in the Winter Olympics four times.
In 1972 he carried the German flag into the stadium at the opening ceremony in Sapporo, Japan. Demel became German champion a total of 40 times, at the Olympic Games his best result was a fifth place over 30 and 50 km as well as seventh place over 15 km. In 1964 he received the Silver Laurel Leaf, the highest sporting award in the Federal Republic of Germany.