Dettlef Günther

Dettlef Günther ( born August 27, 1954 in Stone Heidel - Erlabrunn ) is a former German luger who competed for East Germany.

Originating as Ortrun Enderlein from the Erzgebirge community Raschau Günther began his racing career in the football section of BSG Rotation Raschau. In practice manager Heinz Dittmann he came up with the luge sport in contact, however, was only under coach Erhard Klotzsche at SC tractor Oberwiesenthal to top sledders. At the Junior Championship on the natural toboggan run in Olang, he won the 1973 title. Two years later he won the title at the same place at the Luge World Championship 1975., He celebrated his greatest success at the Olympic Winter Games in Innsbruck in 1976, when he was with more than half a second ahead of Josef Fendt Olympic champion in the single-seater. He was awarded the Patriotic Order of Merit in silver for this success. He also won the title at the Luge World Cup in 1979 in Koenigssee. At the 1980 Olympic Games in Lake Placid, he was his favorite role not do justice when he crashed lying in the lead in the third round; but still finished fourth overall.

Günther trained as an electrician and a correspondence course for qualified sports teacher at the German University of Physical Culture. After his active career as a luger, he worked as a coach at SC tractor Oberwiesenthal.

Due to an erroneous entry in his birth certificate Gunther's first name is spelled with two "t".

When " IN Richter" he worked for the Ministry of State Security of the GDR. As of November 1976, he has received for his services several times cash rewards.