Gerhard Hetz (; 13 July 1942 – 19 May 2012) was a German Olympic swimmer. He competed in the

1960 It is also known as the "Year of Africa" because of major events—particularly the independence of seventeen African nations—that focused global attention on the continent and intensified feelings of Pan-Africanism. Events January * Janu ...

and

1964 Summer Olympics The , officially the and commonly known as Tokyo 1964 (), were an international multi-sport event held from 10 to 24 October 1964 in Tokyo, Japan. Tokyo had been awarded the organization of the 1940 Summer Olympics, but this honor was subseq ...

and won a silver medal in the 4 × 200 m freestyle relay and a bronze medal in the 400 m individual medley in 1964. He set two world records in the 400 m individual medley, in 1962 and 1963. In 1962 he was selected as the German Sportspersonality of the Year. After retirement from competitions he became a successful swimming coach at Blau-Weiß Bochum, SSF Bonn (1968–1975) and then SV Rhenania Köln (1975–1991), training such swimmers as

Rainer Henkel Rainer Henkel (born 27 February 1964 in Opladen) is a retired freestyle swimmer from Germany, former World and European Champion in 1500 m freestyle. He also won the silver medal in the 4×200 m freestyle relay for West Germany at the 1984 ...

Werner Lampe Werner Lampe (born 30 November 1952) is a retired German swimmer and Olympic medalist. He is the brother of Hans Lampe and father of Oliver Lampe. He participated at the 1972 and 1976 Events January * January 2 – The International ...

and

Peter Sitt Peter Sitt (born 7 December 1969) is a German former swimmer who competed in the 1988 Summer Olympics and in the 1992 Summer Olympics The 1992 Summer Olympics (, ), officially the Games of the XXV Olympiad (, ) and officially branded as Bar ...

. However, he was also criticized for his harsh training methods. He died in

Barra de Navidad Barra de Navidad is a small town located on the western coastline of the Mexican state of Jalisco. It belongs to the municipality of Cihuatlán. The town population was 4,266 according to the 2020 census. Barra de Navidad ("Christmas Sandbar") ...

Jalisco Jalisco, officially the Free and Sovereign State of Jalisco, is one of the 31 states which, along with Mexico City, comprise the 32 Political divisions of Mexico, Federal Entities of Mexico. It is located in western Mexico and is bordered by s ...

Mexico Mexico, officially the United Mexican States, is a country in North America. It is the northernmost country in Latin America, and borders the United States to the north, and Guatemala and Belize to the southeast; while having maritime boundar ...

, where he was running a hotel with his wife. They had three children.

References

1942 births 2012 deaths German male freestyle swimmers Olympic swimmers for the United Team of Germany Olympic silver medalists for the United Team of Germany Olympic bronze medalists for the United Team of Germany Olympic bronze medalists in swimming Swimmers at the 1960 Summer Olympics Swimmers at the 1964 Summer Olympics Medalists at the 1964 Summer Olympics World record setters in swimming German emigrants to Mexico Olympic silver medalists in swimming People from Hof, Bavaria Sportspeople from the Upper Palatinate Swimmers from Bavaria 20th-century German sportsmen 21st-century German people {{Germany-swimming-bio-stub