Christiane Knacke

Christiane Knacke

Christiane Knacke (born 19 February 1962 in East Berlin, East Germany), also known as Christiane Knacke-Sommer after her marriage, is a former swimmer who competed for East Germany in international events during the late 1970s and early 1980s. She specialized in the butterfly stroke and was known for her achievements in the 100 meters butterfly.

Career

Christiane Knacke emerged as a prominent swimmer at a young age. She trained at SC Dynamo Berlin, one of the premier sports clubs in East Germany, which was known for its strong swimming program. Her major breakthrough came at the 1978 World Aquatics Championships where she won a silver medal in the 100 meters butterfly.

Knacke represented East Germany in the 1980 Summer Olympics held in Moscow, Soviet Union. During the Olympics, she competed in the 100 meters butterfly and the 4x100 meters medley relay. Her performance was notable, contributing to East Germany's dominance in swimming during the games.

Achievements and Records

Throughout her career, Christiane Knacke set several national and world records in butterfly events. Her technical proficiency and competitive spirit were key factors in her success. Some of her notable achievements include:

• 1978 World Aquatics Championships - Silver medal in 100 meters butterfly
• 1980 Summer Olympics - Participant in 100 meters butterfly and 4x100 meters medley relay

Post-Retirement

After retiring from competitive swimming, Christiane Knacke-Sommer remained involved in the sport, contributing to its development in Germany. Her legacy continues to inspire young swimmers, particularly in the butterfly stroke discipline.

See Also

• List of Olympic medalists in swimming (women)
• SC Dynamo Berlin
• Swimming at the 1980 Summer Olympics