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Bernd Kannenberg, THE goer of the Federal Republic, is dead
Photo: Werek / imago images
Bernd Kannenberg is dead. The Olympic walking champion of the 1972 Munich Summer Games died at the age of 78.
This was confirmed by the Bavarian Athletics Association.
Born in East Prussia, Kannenberg had surprisingly won the 50-kilometer competition in the Bavarian metropolis in 3: 56: 11.6 hours and thus sparked enthusiasm in Germany.
For this achievement, the eleven-time German master and professional soldier was promoted to sergeant major and was also honored with the silver laurel leaf.
At the EC 1974 in Rome, Bernd Kannenberg came second in the 20 km walk.
The day of Kannenberg's triumph on September 3, 1972 became the "golden Sunday" for the German athletes.
At the top of the podium on the same day was Klaus Wolfermann after his legendary javelin triumph with 90.48 m ahead of the favorite Janis Lusis from the USSR (90.46).
Hildegard Falck was the fastest over 800 m (1: 58.6 minutes).
In addition, Heide Ecker-Rosendahl took silver in the pentathlon, just behind Britain's Mary Peters.
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