Heinrich Ratjen

Bundesarchiv Bild 183-C10379, Hermann Ratjen alias %22Dora Ratjen%22

Heinrich Ratjen

Heinrich Ratjen was a German athlete who was born on an unknown date in an unknown place. Ratjen's life and career are shrouded in mystery and controversy.

Early Life

Little is known about Ratjen's early life, including his birth date and birthplace. It is believed that Ratjen began competing in athletics at a young age.

Controversy

Ratjen gained notoriety due to a controversial incident that occurred during his athletic career. In 1936, Ratjen competed in the women's high jump event at the Berlin Olympics. It was later revealed that Ratjen was intersex and had been mistakenly identified as female.

Aftermath

Following the revelation of Ratjen's intersex status, there was significant debate and discussion about gender verification in sports. Ratjen's case highlighted the complexities and challenges of determining gender in athletic competitions.

Legacy

Heinrich Ratjen's story remains a cautionary tale about the importance of accurate gender identification in sports. Ratjen's case has sparked ongoing conversations about inclusivity and fairness in athletics.