Bayer's accomplished athletes have secured over 160 Olympic and Paralympic gold medals
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Over 160 Olympic and Paralympic Gold Medals – Stories of Our Athletes
Since Willi Holdorf won the decathlon in Tokyo in 1964, Bayer Sport has been writing a vibrant success story that continues to this day. Numerous achievements of our athletes have entered the collective memory of Germany and are among the most memorable moments in sports history.
Particularly memorable are Heide Ecker Rosendahl's gold medal in the long jump (Munich 1972), Heike Henkel's Olympic victory in the high jump (Barcelona 1992), the victories of rower Stephan Volkert (Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996), and the Paralympic triumphs of Markus Rehm and Johannes Floors in Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, and Paris 2024.
Among Bayer athletes are five members of the German Sports Hall of Fame – a clear sign of sustained excellence. At the same time, active champions are now in the spotlight: they train, win, and inspire the next generation with their personal stories. Breakthroughs, comebacks, and unforgettable moments.
In recent years, Bayer athletes have won more than 95 Paralympic medals and around 70 Olympic medals—numbers that speak for themselves but become even more impressive when you see the faces behind them. The diversity of our clubs is reflected in the wide range of personalities and paths to success: inclusive, determined, and always on the road to victory—Bayer in sport means performance, passion, and unforgettable moments.
Heide Ecker-Rosendahl’s gold medal-winning jump at the Olympic Games 1972 in Munich.
Heike Henkel - European champion (1990), World champion (1991) and Olympic champion (1992) in the high jump.
Willi Holdorf - First German decathlon Olympic champion (1964).
Arnd Schmitt - Olympic champion in fencing in 1988 and 1992.
Olympic Athletes
In addition to Konstanze Klosterhalfen, the 2022 European Athletics Champion in the 5,000m, the two Olympians from Paris 2024, Marike Steinacker, who finished fourth in the discus throw, and the talented heptathlete Sophie Weißenberg, are among the successful athletes from Bavaria. Two successful athletes also stand out in fencing: épée fencer Alexandra Ndolo, who was the first athlete to compete for the Kenyan Fencing Federation at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, and the German sabre fencer Matyas Szabo.
Paralympic Athletes
Our successful para-athletes continued their success from the 2023 World Athletics Championships, where Irmgard Bensusan, Markus Rehm, Johannes Floors, and Leon Schäfer each won the world title. At the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, the Leverkusen team achieved an impressive six medals. The team included Tokyo 2021 Paralympic champion Johannes Floors and multiple Paralympic champion Markus Rehm. In the para long jump, up-and-coming athlete Nele Moos particularly impressed, winning her first Paralympic silver medal and competing in Paris alongside her training partners Leon Schäfer and Irmgard Bensusan.
In swimming, Taliso Engel, who garnered attention with his second Paralympic victory, and Maurice Wetekam, who won his first Paralympic bronze medal, demonstrated that Bayer Leverkusen athletes are among the best in their field.
The athletes' results in Paris are impressive: six medals as well as numerous personal and sporting achievements, which impressively underline the exceptional performances and commitment of our Bayer athletes.
Nele Moos (bronze), Johannes Floors (gold) and Irmgard Bensusan (gold) at the 2023 Para World Championships in Paris (from left).
Markus Rehm - multiple Paralympics winner in the long jump.
The vice Paralympic champion Leon Schäfer in long jump.
Members of the TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen sitting volleyball national team.
Kathrin Marchand and Marc Lembeck – silver medal at the European Championships 2023 in para-rowing.
Taliso Engel - world record holder in the 100m para breaststroke.
