Erwin Sietas

Champion breaststroke swimmer Erwin Sietas was born on July 24, 1910 in Cranz, East Prussia, Germany. A specialist in the 200 meter breaststroke, Sietas won a silver medal in the 200 meter men's breaststroke at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, Germany (he had previously finished fifth in the 1928 Olympics and fourth in the 1932 Olympics). Moreover, Erwin not only won three medals at various European Championships which include a gold medal in 1934, but also set a world record in the 200 meter breaststroke the following year. In addition, Sietas won all national titles between 1928 and 1936 as well as was the only European breaststroke swimmer to win an Olympic medal between the years 1928 and 1952. Erwin died at age 78 on July 20, 1989 in Hamburg, Germany. He was posthumously inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame as an Honor Pioneer Swimmer in 1992. Show less «