Andreas Wecker (born 2 January 1970 in Staßfurt)[1] is a German former gymnast who had a long and successful career. He was European, World and Olympic champion. His greatest achievement was the gold medal on high bar at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. There, he beat gymnasts of such quality as Vitaly Scherbo and Alexei Nemov. In 1989 Wecker was named the last East German Sportsman of the Year. He competed for the SC Dynamo Berlin / Sportvereinigung (SV) Dynamo.[2]

Andreas Wecker
Personal information
Born (1970-01-02) 2 January 1970 (age 54)
Staßfurt, East Germany
DisciplineMen's artistic gymnastics
Medal record
Representing  East Germany
Olympic Games
Silver medal – second place 1988 Seoul Team
World Championships
Silver medal – second place 1989 Stuttgart Team
Silver medal – second place 1989 Stuttgart Pommel horse
Silver medal – second place 1989 Stuttgart Rings
Bronze medal – third place 1989 Stuttgart Parallel bars
Representing  Germany
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 1996 Atlanta Horizontal bar
Silver medal – second place 1992 Barcelona Horizontal bar
Bronze medal – third place 1992 Barcelona Pommel horse
Bronze medal – third place 1992 Barcelona Rings
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 1995 Sabae Horizontal bar
Silver medal – second place 1991 Indianapolis Rings
Silver medal – second place 1993 Birmingham Pommel horse
Silver medal – second place 1993 Birmingham Rings
Bronze medal – third place 1991 Indianapolis Team
Bronze medal – third place 1993 Birmingham All-around

Wecker qualified for the German team for the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Just days before his events, he suffered a serious shoulder injury where he tore a biceps muscle in his shoulder, ending his career. Today, Wecker is the chairman and founder of Andreas Seed Oils, headquartered in Bend, Oregon and distributed through his office in Germany.

References

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  1. ^ Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Andreas Wecker". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2012.
  2. ^ GYMmedia.de Archived 13 December 2007 at the Wayback Machine
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Awards
Preceded by East German Sportsman of the Year
1989
Succeeded by
  Boris Becker
(as German Sportsman of the Year)