Lothar Thoms facts for kids
Lothar Thoms
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| Personal information | |
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| Born | 18 May 1956 Guben, Brandenburg, East Germany |
| Died | 5 November 2017 (aged 61) |
| Team information | |
Lothar Thoms was a talented track cyclist from East Germany. He was born on May 18, 1956, and passed away on November 5, 2017. He became famous for his amazing speed in the 1 kilometer time trial event. Thoms represented his home country in many big competitions. He won several gold medals, showing he was one of the best cyclists in the world.
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Olympic Games Success
Lothar Thoms achieved his biggest dream at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow. He competed in the men's 1 kilometer time trial event. This race is all about speed and power. Cyclists race against the clock to finish the distance as fast as possible.
Setting a New World Record
At the Moscow Olympics, Thoms did something incredible. He won the gold medal in the 1 kilometer time trial. He also set a new indoor world record during his winning race. His time was 1 minute, 2.955 seconds. This was more than two seconds faster than the previous record. This amazing performance secured his place in Olympic history.
World Championship Victories
Besides his Olympic gold, Lothar Thoms was a champion at the UCI Track Cycling World Championships. These championships bring together the best track cyclists from around the globe. He showed his dominance in the 1 kilometer time trial for amateur cyclists.
Four Gold Medals in a Row
Thoms won four gold medals at the World Championships. He won in 1977, 1978, 1979, and 1981. This means he won every major international 1 kilometer time trial event for five years straight. This was a truly remarkable achievement.
Other Medals
Lothar Thoms continued to be a top competitor. He earned a silver medal at the 1982 World Championships. The next year, in 1983, he won a bronze medal. These medals further proved his consistent skill and dedication to cycling.
East German Sportspersonality
In 1981, Lothar Thoms was recognized for his outstanding achievements. He was chosen as the East German Sportspersonality of the year. This award showed how much his country appreciated his success. It highlighted his importance in East German sports.
