Germany at the 1896 Summer Olympics

Sporting event delegation
Germany at the
1896 Summer Olympics
Flag of the German Empire
IOC codeGER
NOCGerman Olympic Sports Confederation
Websitewww.dosb.de (in German, English, and French)
in Athens, Greece
April 6, 1896 – April 15, 1896
Competitors19 in 6 sports and 24 events
Medals
Ranked 3rd
Gold
6
Silver
5
Bronze
2
Total
13
Summer Olympics appearances (overview)
Other related appearances
1906 Intercalated Games

––––

 Saar (1952)
 United Team of Germany (1956–1964)
 East Germany (1968–1988)
 West Germany (1968–1988)

Germany competed at the 1896 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. The Germans were the third most successful nation in terms of both gold medals (6 plus 1 as part of a mixed team) and total medals (13). Gymnastics was the sport in which Germany excelled. The German team had 19 athletes. The Germans had 75 entries in 26 events (of which 48 entries were in the 8 gymnastics events), taking 13 medals.

Medalists

The following competitors won medals at the games. In the discipline sections below, the medalists' names are bolded. Medals awarded to participants of mixed-NOC teams are represented in italics. These medals are not counted towards the individual NOC medal tally.

Medal Name Sport Event Date
 Gold Hermann Weingärtner Gymnastics Men's horizontal bar April 9
 Gold Alfred Flatow Gymnastics Men's parallel bars April 10
 Gold Conrad Böcker, Alfred Flatow, Gustav Flatow,
Georg Hilmar, Fritz Hofmann, Fritz Manteuffel,
Karl Neukirch, Richard Röstel, Gustav Schuft,
Carl Schuhmann, Hermann Weingärtner
Gymnastics Men's team parallel bars April 9
 Gold Conrad Böcker, Alfred Flatow, Gustav Flatow,
Georg Hilmar, Fritz Hofmann, Fritz Manteuffel,
Karl Neukirch, Richard Röstel, Gustav Schuft,
Carl Schuhmann, Hermann Weingärtner
Gymnastics Men's team horizontal bar April 9
 Gold Carl Schuhmann Gymnastics Men's vault April 9
 Gold Friedrich Traun Tennis Men's doubles April 9
 Gold Carl Schuhmann Wrestling Men's Greco-Roman April 11
 Silver Fritz Hofmann Athletics Men's 100 m April 10
 Silver August von Gödrich Cycling Men's road race April 12
 Silver Alfred Flatow Gymnastics Men's horizontal bar April 9
 Silver Hermann Weingärtner Gymnastics Men's pommel horse April 9
 Silver Hermann Weingärtner Gymnastics Men's rings April 9
 Bronze Fritz Hofmann Gymnastics Men's rope climbing April 10
 Bronze Hermann Weingärtner Gymnastics Men's vault April 9
Medals by sport
Sport 1st place, gold medalist(s) 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) Total
Gymnastics 5 3 2 10
Wrestling 1 0 0 1
Athletics 0 1 0 1
Cycling 0 1 0 1
Total 6 5 2 13

Multiple medalists

The following competitors won multiple medals at the 1896 Olympic Games.

Name Medal Sport Event
Carl Schuhmann  Gold
 Gold
 Gold
 Gold
Gymnastics
Wrestling
Men's team parallel bars
Men's team horizontal bar
Men's vault
Men's Greco-Roman
Hermann Weingärtner  Gold
 Gold
 Gold
 Silver
 Silver
 Bronze
Gymnastics Men's team parallel bars
Men's team horizontal bar
Men's horizontal bar
Men's pommel horse
Men's rings
Men's vault
Alfred Flatow  Gold
 Gold
 Gold
 Silver
Gymnastics Men's team parallel bars
Men's team horizontal bar
Men's parallel bars
Men's horizontal bar
Fritz Hofmann  Gold
 Gold
 Silver
 Bronze
Gymnastics
Athletics
Men's team parallel bars
Men's team horizontal bar
100 m
Men's rope climbing
Conrad Böcker  Gold
 Gold
Gymnastics Men's team parallel bars
Men's team horizontal bar
Gustav Flatow  Gold
 Gold
Gymnastics Men's team parallel bars
Men's team horizontal bar
Georg Hillmar  Gold
 Gold
Gymnastics Men's team parallel bars
Men's team horizontal bar
Fritz Manteuffel  Gold
 Gold
Gymnastics Men's team parallel bars
Men's team horizontal bar
Karl Neukirch  Gold
 Gold
Gymnastics Men's team parallel bars
Men's team horizontal bar
Richard Röstel  Gold
 Gold
Gymnastics Men's team parallel bars
Men's team horizontal bar
Gustav Schuft  Gold
 Gold
Gymnastics Men's team parallel bars
Men's team horizontal bar

Competitors

The following is the list of number of competitors in the Games.

Sport Men Women Total
Athletics 5 0 5
Cycling 3 0 3
Gymnastics 11 0 11
Tennis 1 0 1
Weightlifting 1 0 1
Wrestling 1 0 1
Total 19[1] 0 19
Medals by day
Day Date 1st place, gold medalist(s) 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) Total
1 6 April 0 0 0 0
2 7 April 0 0 0 0
3 8 April 0 0 0 0
4 9 April 4 3 1 8
5 10 April 1 1 1 3
6 11 April 1 0 0 1
7 12 April 0 1 0 1
8 13 April 0 0 0 0
Total 6 5 2 13

Athletics

Hofmann's silver medal in the 100 metres was the only medal earned by the German athletes, though they finished 4th or 5th an additional 4 times. Alfred Flatow was entered in the 100 metres but did not start.[2][3][4]

Track & road events

Athlete Event Heat Final
Time Rank Time Rank
Kurt Doerry 100 m Unknown 4 Did not advance
Alfred Flatow DNS Did not advance
Fritz Hofmann 12.6 2 Q 12.2 2nd place, silver medalist(s)
Friedrich Traun 13.5 3 Did not advance
Kurt Doerry 400 m Unknown 3-4 Did not advance
Fritz Hofmann 58.6 2 Q 56.7 4
Friedrich Traun DNS Did not advance
Kurt Doerry 800 m DNS Did not advance
Fritz Hofmann DNS Did not advance
Friedrich Traun 2:13.4 3 Did not advance
Carl Galle 1500 m 4:39.0 4
Kurt Doerry 110 m hurdles Unknown 3-4 Did not advance
Fritz Hofmann DNS Did not advance
Friedrich Traun DNS Did not advance
Carl Galle Marathon DNS

Field events

Athlete Event Final
Distance Position
Conrad Böcker High jump DNS
Kurt Doerry DNS
Alfred Flatow DNS
Gustav Flatow DNS
Carl Galle DNS
Fritz Hofmann 1.55 5
Fritz Manteuffel DNS
Gustav Schuft DNS
Carl Schuhmann DNS
Friedrich Traun DNS
Kurt Doerry Pole vault DNS
Alfred Flatow DNS
Gustav Flatow DNS
Carl Galle DNS
Fritz Hofmann DNS
Fritz Manteuffel DNS
Karl Neukirch DNS
Carl Schuhmann DNS
Friedrich Traun DNS
Hermann Weingärtner DNS
Kurt Doerry Long jump DNS
Alfred Flatow DNS
Carl Galle DNS
Fritz Hofmann DNS
Friedrich Traun DNS
Carl Schuhmann 5.70 8
Hermann Weingärtner DNS
Alfred Flatow Triple jump DNS
Fritz Hofmann Unknown 6-7
Carl Schuhmann Unknown 5
Friedrich Traun DNS
Conrad Böcker Shot put DNS
Alfred Flatow DNS
Fritz Hofmann 10.00 5-7
Carl Schuhmann Unknown 5-7
Hermann Weingärtner DNS
Carl Schuhmann Discus throw DNS


Cycling

Track

Athlete Event Time / Distance Rank
Theodor Leupold Men's time trial 27.0 5
Joseph Rosemeyer 27.2 8
Joseph Rosemeyer Men's sprint DNF
Joseph Rosemeyer 10 km Unknown 4
Bernard Knubel 100 km DNF
Theodor Leupold DNF
Joseph Rosemeyer DNF
Joseph Welzenbacher DNF
Joseph Welzenbacher Men's 12 hour race DNF

Road

Athlete Event Time Rank
August von Gödrich Men's road race 3:42:18 2nd place, silver medalist(s)
Bernard Knubel DNS
Theodor Leupold DNS
Fritz Manteuffel DNS
Joseph Rosemeyer DNS
Joseph Welzenbacher DNS

Gymnastics

Germany dominated the gymnastics program, taking 5 of the 8 gold medals and medalling in each event.

German team at parallel bars
German team on horizontal bars
Team
Athlete Event Result Rank
Conrad Böcker
Alfred Flatow
Gustav Flatow
Georg Hilmar
Fritz Hofmann
Fritz Manteuffel
Karl Neukirch
Richard Röstel
Gustav Schuft
Carl Schuhmann
Hermann Weingärtner
Men's team parallel bars Unknown 1st place, gold medalist(s)
Conrad Böcker
Alfred Flatow
Gustav Flatow
Georg Hilmar
Fritz Hofmann
Fritz Manteuffel
Karl Neukirch
Richard Röstel
Gustav Schuft
Carl Schuhmann
Hermann Weingärtner
Men's team horizontal bar Unknown 1st place, gold medalist(s)
Individual
Athlete Event Result Rank
Conrad Böcker Men's vault Unknown 4-15
Alfred Flatow Unknown 4-15
Gustav Flatow Unknown 4-15
Georg Hilmar Unknown 4-15
Fritz Manteuffel Unknown 4-15
Karl Neukirch Unknown 4-15
Richard Röstel Unknown 4-15
Gustav Schuft Unknown 4-15
Carl Schuhmann Unknown 1st place, gold medalist(s)
Hermann Weingärtner Unknown 3rd place, bronze medalist(s)
Conrad Böcker Men's pommel horse Unknown 3-15
Alfred Flatow Unknown 3-15
Gustav Flatow Unknown 3-15
Georg Hilmar Unknown 3-15
Fritz Manteuffel Unknown 3-15
Karl Neukirch Unknown 3-15
Richard Röstel Unknown 3-15
Gustav Schuft Unknown 3-15
Carl Schuhmann Unknown 3-15
Hermann Weingärtner Unknown 2nd place, silver medalist(s)
Conrad Böcker Men's rings Unknown 6-8
Alfred Flatow Unknown 6-8
Gustav Flatow Unknown 6-8
Carl Schuhmann Unknown 5
Hermann Weingärtner Unknown 2nd place, silver medalist(s)
Conrad Böcker Men's horizontal bar Unknown 3-15
Alfred Flatow Unknown 2nd place, silver medalist(s)
Gustav Flatow Unknown 3-15
Georg Hilmar Unknown 3-15
Fritz Manteuffel Unknown 3-15
Karl Neukirch Unknown 3-15
Richard Röstel Unknown 3-15
Gustav Schuft Unknown 3-15
Carl Schuhmann Unknown 3-15
Hermann Weingärtner Unknown 1st place, gold medalist(s)
Conrad Böcker Men's parallel bars Unknown 3-18
Alfred Flatow Unknown 1st place, gold medalist(s)
Gustav Flatow Unknown 3-18
Georg Hilmar Unknown 3-18
Fritz Manteuffel Unknown 3-18
Karl Neukirch Unknown 3-18
Richard Röstel Unknown 3-18
Gustav Schuft Unknown 3-18
Carl Schuhmann Unknown 3-18
Hermann Weingärtner Unknown 3-18
Fritz Hofmann Men's rope climbing 12.5 3rd place, bronze medalist(s)

Tennis

Traun was defeated by Boland in the first round of the singles tournament. The two entered the doubles tournament as a pair, winning the gold medal in that competition as part of a mixed team; that medal is not counted for Germany.

Athlete Event First round Quarterfinals Semifinals Final
Opposition
Score
Opposition
Score
Opposition
Score
Opposition
Score
Rank
Friedrich Traun Singles  Boland (GBR)
L 0–6, 6–2, 2–6
Did not advance =8
 Friedrich Traun (GER)
 John Boland (GBR)
Doubles  Akratopoulos /
Akratopoulos (GRE) W
Bye  Kasdaglis /
Petrokokkinos (GRE)
W 5-7, 6-4, 6-1
1st place, gold medalist(s)


Weightlifting

Schuhmann's lift was equal to that of the bronze medallist, but lifting form was used as a tie-breaker in the event.

Athlete Event Weight Rank
Carl Schuhmann Two hand lift 90.0 4

Wrestling

Schuhmann first faced Launceston Elliot, the one-handed lift weightlifting champion, defeating him fairly easily. He received a bye in the semifinals, to face Georgios Tsitas in the final match. That contest took two days, after it had been postponed on account of darkness 40 minutes into the first day. Schuhmann quickly won on the second morning.

Athlete Event Quarterfinal Semifinal Final
Opposition
Result
Opposition
Result
Opposition
Result
Rank
Carl Schuhmann Men's Greco-Roman  Elliot (GBR)
W
Bye  Tsitas (GRE)
W
1st place, gold medalist(s)

References

  1. ^ Fritz Hofmann competed in athletics and gymnastics while Carl Schuhmann competed in athletics, gymnastics, weightlifting and wrestling, and Friedrich Traun competed in athletics and tennis
  2. ^ Butler, Maynard. The Olympic Games. In Mallon & Widlund, pp. 37–41.
  3. ^ Ekkehard zur Megede : The history of Olympic athletics. Volume 1: 1896-1936. Verlag Bartels & Wernitz KG, Berlin, 2nd edition 1970.
  4. ^ "100 metres, Men". Olympedia. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Germany at the 1896 Summer Olympics.
  • Lampros, S.P.; Polites, N.G.; De Coubertin, Pierre; Philemon, P.J.; Anninos, C. (1897). The Olympic Games: BC 776 – AD 1896. Athens: Charles Beck. (Digitally available at [1])
  • Mallon, Bill; Widlund, Ture (1998). The 1896 Olympic Games. Results for All Competitors in All Events, with Commentary. Jefferson: McFarland. ISBN 0-7864-0379-9. (Excerpt available at [2])
  • Smith, Michael Llewellyn (2004). Olympics in Athens 1896. The Invention of the Modern Olympic Games. London: Profile Books. ISBN 1-86197-342-X.
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