Franka Dietzsch (born 22 January 1968) is a German former discus thrower best known for winning gold medals at three World Championships in Athletics. She won the 1998 European Championships and 1999 World Championships, but did not return to the international podium until her win at the 2005 World Championships.
At the age of 39 she won her third world championship title in 2007 in Osaka. After spending a year away from the field due to health problems, she returned to competition at the Wiesbaden meet. She finished in second place with 61.49 metres, remaining focused on defending her discus World Champion at the 2009 World Championships,Wenig, Jörg (18 May 2009). Fine start for Berlin’s Robert Harting – German competition weekend round-up. IAAF. Retrieved on 2009-05-18. at which she finished 23rd at 58.44 metres, failing to qualify for the final. She retired the same year as one of the few remaining athletes to have represented East Germany internationally.Leichtathletik.de (6 September 2009) Franka Dietzsch und Steffi Nerius sagen Adieu Retrieved on 2017-04-12.
Her personal best throw is 69.51 metres, achieved in May 1999 in Wiesbaden. This result ranks her ninth among German discus throwers, behind Gabriele Reinsch, Ilke Wyludda, Diana Gansky-Sachse, Irina Meszynski, Gisela Beyer, Martina Hellmann-Opitz, Evelin Jahl and Silvia Madetzky.
Achievements Representing 1986World Junior ChampionshipsAthens, Greece 2nd60.26 mRepresenting 1993World Championships Stuttgart, Germany 8th62.06 m1994European Championships Helsinki, Finland 9th59.18 m1995World Championships Gothenburg, Sweden 7th61.28 m1996Summer OlympicsAtlanta, United States 4th65.48 m1998European Championships Budapest, Hungary 1st67.49 mIAAF World Cup Johannesburg, South Africa 1st67.07 m1999World Championships Seville, Spain 1st68.14 m2000Olympic Games Sydney, Australia 6th63.18 m2001World Championships Edmonton, Canada 4th65.38 m2003World Athletics FinalMonte Carlo, Monaco 6th61.88 m2004World Athletics FinalMonte Carlo, Monaco 6th61.48 m2005World ChampionshipsHelsinki, Finland 1st66.56 mWorld Athletics FinalMonte Carlo, Monaco 2nd61.91 m2006European Championships Gothenburg, Sweden 2nd64.35 mWorld Athletics FinalStuttgart, Germany 1st64.73 mIAAF World CupAthens, Greece 1st66.07 m2007World ChampionshipsOsaka, Japan 1st66.61 m
References
External links
Official website