Carl Kaufmann

Kaufmann began as a 200 m runner, but moved to the double distance in 1958. The switch proved successful immediately, placing 4th in the European Championships while winning a silver medal with the West German relay squad. He also won the first of three national titles in the metric quarter-mile. His greatest success came in the Olympic final at Rome. With a great finish, and a dive at the line, he nearly caught Otis Davis, but the photo finish placed him in second. Both athletes were credited with a World Record time of 44.9 seconds, becoming the first athletes to break the 45-second barrier. After his athletic career, Kaufmann settled in Karlsruhe, and established an amateur theatre there.

Personal Best: 400 – 45.08 (1960).