It is one of the most famous prizes awarded in the field of German sport: The “Golden Sport Pyramid” conferred by the Stiftung Deutsche Sporthilfe (German Sport Aid Foundation). In 2016, the prize is going to be awarded during the World Equestrian Festival, CHIO Aachen.

The Deutsche Sporthilfe has been honouring outstanding sporting personalities with the award since the year 2000. The award winner will be announced shortly before the CHIO Aachen 2016 begins (July 8th-17th). The Deutsche Sporthilfe will then be inviting guests to the festive gala in the “Champions’ Circle” at the showgrounds on Saturday evening, July 16th. “We are delighted that the Deutsche Sporthilfe is integrating this prestigious and renowned gala into an existing event for the first time,” commented Michael Mronz, General Manager of the Aachener Reitturnier GmbH. It proves that the CHIO Aachen has long since become a meeting point for personalities from the areas of sport, society, politics and business.

The first award winner in the year 2000 was Hans Günter Winkler. As such, the legendary show-jumper, whose 90th birthday will be celebrated with a big gala on Friday afternoon (July 15th) during the CHIO Aachen 2016, also became a member of the “Hall of Fame of German Sport”, which was also initiated by the Deutsche Sporthilfe. A further 16 members will be appointed during the CHIO Aachen (see overview at the end of the press release). One of these sixteen members will be selected as the prize winner of the “Golden Sport Pyramid”. The criteria for this nomination are in addition to sporting success, exemplary performances in the social and professional areas.

www.hall-of-fame-sport.de

The 16 new additions to the Hall of Fame of German Sport in 2016:

1. Gauder, Hartwig: The man with the three hearts (*10.11.1954 in Vaihingen, Athletics). Olympic gold medallist in 50 km walking (1980), World Champion (1987) and European Champion (1986).

2. Gienger, Eberhard: The legend on the high bar (*21.7.1951 in Künzelsau, Gymnastics). Olympic bronze medal in high bar in 1976, High Bar World Champion in 1974, three-time runner-up at the World Championships, three-time European Champion. 1974/1978 Sportsman of the year. Vice-President Competitive Sport of the DOSB from 2006 to 2010.

3. Hanisch, Cornelia: The fencing virtuoso (*12.6.1952 in Frankfurt/M., Fencing). 1984 Olympic team gold medallist and individual silver. World Champion 1979/81/85, European Champion 1983. Sportswoman of the Year 1985.

4. Kolbe, Peter-Michael: The sculler phenomenon (*2.8.1953 in Hamburg, Rowing). Five World Championship titles (1975/78/81/83/86) in Men’s Singles. Olympic silver 1976, 1984 and 1988. “Kolbe Injection”. Sportsman of the Year 1975.

5. Kühnhackl, Erich: Ice hockey player of the century (*17.10.1950 in Citice/Czechoslovakia, now the Czech Republic, Ice hockey). Olympic bronze medallist in 1976, 211 international appearances (131 goals). Vice-President of the German Ice Hockey Federation “German Player of the Century”.

6. Langer, Bernhard: Germany’s golf legend (*27.8.1957 in Anhausen, Golf). Two Major victories (US Masters in 1985 and 1993). Member of the Golf Hall of Fame since 2002. Ryder Cup player and captain (victory in 2004).

7. Nehmer, Meinhard: The best bob pilot of his time (*13.1.1941 in Boblin, Bob). Three Olympic gold medals: 1976 (Two-man and four-man bob) and 1980 (four-man bob). Victories at the World Championships (1977) and European Championships (1979) in four-man bob. Flag carrier at the Olympic Games in 1976.

8. Netzer, Günter: The football popstar (*14.9.1944 in Mönchengladbach, Football). World Champion (1974) and European Champion (1972). German Champions with Borussia Mönchengladbach in 1973, titleholder with Real Madrid.

9. Pusch, Alexander: Fencer of the century (*15.5.1955 in Tauberbischofsheim, Fencing). Two Olympic gold medals in 1976 (individual) and in 1984 (team), team silver in 1976 and 1988. Four-time World Champion.

10. Richter, Kristina: The best handball player of her time (née Hochmuth, *24.10.1946 in Zwickau, Handball). Three-time World Champion (1971/75/78), Olympic silver medallist (1976) and bronze medallist (1980, first German lady team member to carry the flag). 235 international appearances for GDR, European Cup victories with Berliner TSC.

11. Röhrl, Walter: The rally sport genius (*7.3.1947 in Regensburg, Motorsport). World Champion in 1980 and 1982, European Champion in 1974. Four victories in the Monte Carlo rally (1980, 1982, 1983, 1984).

12. Schmid, Harald: The hurdle hotshot (*29.9.1957 in Hanau, Athletics). Olympic bronze medal in 1976 and 1984 (relay/400 m hurdling), three World Championship medals, five European Championship victories. Sportsman of the Year 1979/87.

13. Schmitt, Arnd: Medal collector on the planche (*13.7.1965 in Heidenheim, Fencing). Olympic victories in 1988 (individual) and 1992 (team), Individual World Champion in 1999. In total 16 Olympic and World Champion medals.

14. Schockemöhle, Alwin: The champion of the show-jumpers (*29.5.1937 in Meppen, Equestrian Sport). Two Olympic victories: 1976 in the individuals, 1960 with the team. Six European Championships medals.

15. Wieneke, Frank: As Olympic judoka and trainer (*31.1.1962 in Hannover, Judo). Olympic victory in 1984 and Olympic silver in 1988. European Champion in 1986, European silver in 1988/89. Trained Ole Bischof to his Olympic victory in 2008.

16. Wunderlich, Erhard: Handball player of the century (*14.12.1956 in Augsburg, †4.10.2012 in Cologne, Handball). World Champion in 1978, Olympic silver in 1984. Won all national and international titles with VfL Gummersbach. “Handball Player of the Century” (posthumous).