Speaker Profile

One of the greatest swimmers in West German history, Michael was nicknamed 'The Albatross' due to his long arms that gave him a giant, bird-like span of 2.13 metres. Standing at 6ft 7in tall, he won a total of six Olympic medals, and a number of medals (including an impressive five golds) at the World Championships.

Born in Frankfurt in 1964, he was one of the best swimmers in the world during the 1980s through to 1991, when he retired from the sport. During this time he demonstrated his amazing ability by repeatedly setting world records (his first at the age of nineteen at the German nationals in 1983), and winning five world titles, a number of medals at the European Championships, and three Olympic gold medals.

In the Los Angeles Olympics of 1984, he won gold in both the 200m freetstyle and the 100m butterfly. Remarkably, in both of these races he set a world record. In 1988 he won gold in the 200m butterfly.

Michael was elected 'German Athlete of the Year' on four occasions during the peak of his career. He was also named 'Male World Swimmer of the Year' by Swimming World Magazine in 1985, and in 1995 he was inducted to the International Swimming Hall of Fame. He also holds a PhD in Philosophy.