Frank Hoffmeister

Frank Hoffmeister ( born October 9, 1965 in Erfurt ) is a German former swimmer who competed for the Federal Republic of Germany after his escape from the GDR from 1985.

Life

Frank Hoffmeister visited in the GDR, the Children and Youth Sports School, before the Olympic Games of Los Angeles back specialist belonged to the extended national squad. In May 1984, he was allowed to settle at an international swimming competition, the Seven Hills Swim in Rome, by the GDR team and came through the German Embassy, equipped with a passport and a plane ticket, in the Federal Republic. There Hoffmeister came initially with an aunt near Bochum and continued his athletic career continued successfully. At the German Championships 1985, he won the 100m and 200m backstroke, at the German Championship 1986, he was now starting for the water lovers Wuppertal, about 50 m and 200 m backstroke successful. In the years 1987, 1988 and 1989, he dominated at the national championships back - distances by winning three titles. In the first all-German Championships 1990 he went to Wiesbaden to the start and won another title over 100m backstroke. During his time in Frank Hoffmeister presented on 32 DSV records.

After 1985, surrenders of its own to participate in the European Championships in Sofia, Hoffmeister won at the World Championships 1986 in Madrid 200m backstroke bronze, and along with Bert Goebel, Michael Gross and Andre Schadt silver in the 4x100 m medley relay. The following year, he won the European Championships in Strasbourg again Bronze 100m backstroke. Already in February 1987 Hoffmeister was the 50m backstroke with 25.47 seconds European record swam on the short track, he could improve in March 1991 and increase to twice 25.24 seconds.

In 1988 he took part in the Olympic Games in Seoul, but could his self-imposed athletic goals do not realize there. In the final of the 100m backstroke, he finished in seventh place, he missed the 200 m backstroke the finals, but could the B-final to decide for themselves. With the 4x100 m medley relay, he missed finishing fourth Olympic medal, however, only just.

After the reunification Hoffmeister belonged to the first joint German swimming team at the 1991 World Championships in Perth, where he again together with Christian Poswiat, Michael Gross and Dirk Richter won a bronze medal in the 4x100 m medley relay.

Frank Hoffmeister now living as a freelance photographer in Berlin.