Cornelia Sirch

Cornelis Sirch 1986

Cornelia Sirch (born 23 October 1966) is a retired German swimmer who specialized in backstroke events. She competed for East Germany during her career and was one of the dominant backstroke swimmers in the 1980s.

Early Life and Career

Cornelia Sirch was born in Erfurt, Thuringia, which was part of East Germany at the time. She began swimming at a young age and quickly showed promise in backstroke events. She trained with the elite sports club SC Turbine Erfurt, which was known for producing top-level swimmers.

Competitive Achievements

Cornelia Sirch's career was marked by numerous national and international successes. She won multiple gold medals at the European Aquatics Championships and the World Aquatics Championships. Her most notable achievements include:

• Winning three gold medals at the 1983 European Aquatics Championships in Rome.
• Securing gold in the 100m and 200m backstroke at the 1986 World Aquatics Championships in Madrid.
• Setting multiple world records in backstroke events during the 1980s.

Olympic Participation

Cornelia Sirch represented East Germany at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, where she won a bronze medal in the 200m backstroke. This was a significant achievement, as it was one of the last major international competitions before the reunification of Germany.

Post-Retirement

After retiring from competitive swimming, Cornelia Sirch remained involved in the sport. She has worked as a coach and mentor for young swimmers, sharing her expertise and experience.

Legacy

Cornelia Sirch is remembered as one of the greatest backstroke swimmers of her time. Her contributions to the sport, particularly in East Germany, have left a lasting impact.

See Also

• List of World Aquatics Championships medalists in swimming (women)
• List of European Aquatics Championships medalists in swimming (women)
• Swimming at the 1988 Summer Olympics

Related Pages

• East Germany at the Olympics
• Swimming at the World Aquatics Championships
• Swimming at the European Aquatics Championships