German Team Heads For Olympic Medals

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Steiner as well won the first German gold medal in his
The German Olympic Sports Union (DOSB) nominatedcategory after many years. The last one was
a total of 436 athletes for the 29th Olympic Summerachieved in 1992 by Ronny Weller. In the sport of
Games 2008 in Beijing, China. At the end of the 14thweight lifting the athletes are challenged to lift up a
competition day the German team 2008 stays at thebarbell by snatching or cleaning and jerking. The
fifth position with a total of 36 medals...native-born Viennese Steiner could not achieve the
The German Olympic Sports Union (DOSB) nominated207 kilos by the snatch and consequently fell behind.
a total of 436 athletes for the 29th Olympic SummerAt his last attempt in clean and jerk then he lifted eight
Games 2008 in Beijing, China. This included a total of kilos more than his until then own record and achieved
194 women and 242 men who will be accompanieda total of 461 kilos. With this total he surpassed his
by around 317 minders. For Germany it is already theRussian competitor Ewgeni Tschihischew who
22nd appearance at Olympic Summer Games,achieved second place just one kilo less than the
whereat they are represented in 26 of the 28 sportsstrongest man in the world. Matthias Steiner raised a
and they hope for a lot of success. The teams of thepicture of Susan at the victory ceremony and said:
sports softball and baseball were not able to qualify.“This gold medal is for my deceased wife. I hope
At the past Summer Olympics in 2004 in Athens theand think that she realizes this.”
German team finished the event in the sixth place.Lena Schöneborn is currently fifth position in the
Back then Germany achieved a total of 49 medals ofworld rankings and surprisingly won the gold medal in
which 14 were gold, 16 silver and 19 bronze medals.her sport Modern Pentathlon. She hardly
The German Olympic team 2004 included a total ofcouldn’t believe her victory and sated after the
453 athletes, 17 more than this year’s team.ceremony: “I am so overwhelmed and the happiest
The general director of the Olympic Sports Unionperson in this world. The victory ceremony was an
Michael Vesper said prior to the games: “We willemotional roller coaster for me, I didn’t know if I
send a powerful team to Beijing. We seek to repeatshould laugh or cry.” Lena didn’t have a good
our sixth place in Athens and hope to detain thestart when she only shot 177 rings out of 200 in the
downward tendency of past Olympic events.”first discipline and ended up in the 20th place. But
At the end of the 14th competition day the Germanalready at the second discipline which is the fencing
team 2008 stays in the fifth position with a total of 36she was able to take the lead with a world’s
medals behind the nations China, USA, Great Britainrecord of 28:7 victories. And also in the following three
and Russia. Of the 36 medals Germany won 14 gold, 9disciplines swimming, riding and running she did not
silver and 13 bronze medals. The golden medals wereconceded her leadership. Lena hopes now that her
achieved in the following sports: Canoe, Kayak,sport gains more recognition after her victory. 
Equestrian, Fencing, Swimming, Triathlon, WeightliftingThe silver medals were achieved in the following
and Modern Pentathlon. The most emotional winnerssports: Synchronized Diving, Wrestling, Shooting,
were the 25-year-old weight lifter Matthias SteinerRowing, Cycling, Gymnastics, Table Tennis, Canoe and
who dedicated his victory to his deceased wife SusanEquestrian. The bronze medals were achieved in the
and the 22-year old Lena Schöneborn who won thefollowing sports: Synchronized Diving, Shooting, Rowing,
first German medal in the Modern Pentathlon in 72Cycling, Sailing, Gymnastics, Equestrian, Swimming,
years.Football, Kayak and Athletics.