Kurt Bendlin (German pronunciation: [kʊʁt bɛntˈliːn] ; 22 May 1943 – 29 August 2024) was a West German decathlete. In 1967 he became the first German to set a world decathlon record in 34 years; he was voted German Sportsman of the Year, received the Silbernes Lorbeerblatt, and was cast in bronze by Arno Breker. Next year he won a bronze medal at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City.[1][2]

Kurt Bendlin
Bendlin in 1968
Personal information
Born(1943-05-22)22 May 1943
Maßort, Reichsgau Danzig-West Prussia, Germany (now Stalmierz, Poland)
Died29 August 2024(2024-08-29) (aged 81)
Paderborn, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Height1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Weight91 kg (201 lb)
Sport
SportAthletics
EventDecathlon
ClubBayer Leverkusen
Achievements and titles
Personal best8234 (1967)
Medal record
Representing  West Germany
Olympic Games
Bronze medal – third place 1968 Mexico City Decathlon

Bendlin won national decathlon titles in 1965, 1967, 1971, and 1974. He studied Physical Education at the German Sport University Cologne after his diploma he worked as a teacher of physical education. From 1979 to 2000 he was Head of company Sports of the Nixdorf Computer company. After 2000 he organized outdoor camps and training courses for managers, and in 1986 published a related book Fitness für Manager.[1]

Bendlin died on 29 August 2024, at the age of 81.[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b Kurt Bendlin. sports-reference.com
  2. ^ Kurt Bendlin. Leverkusen who's who
  3. ^ Zeitung, Eßlinger Zeitung ONLINE-Das Nachrichtenportal für die Region Esslingen- Eßlinger. "Leichtathletik: Weltrekord und Bronze: Ex-Zehnkämpfer Bendlin ist tot - Esslinger Zeitung". www.esslinger-zeitung.de (in German). Retrieved 31 August 2024.
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Awards
Preceded by German Sportsman of the Year
1967
Succeeded by
Records
Preceded by Men's decathlon world record holder
14 May 1967 – 11 December 1969
Succeeded by