Ursula Donath

Ursula Donath-
Donath in 1955
Personal information
Born(1931-07-30)30 July 1931
Saldus, Latvia
Died12 April 2026(2026-04-12) (aged 94)
Halle (Saale), Germany
Medal record
Women's athletics
Representing  Germany
Bronze medal – third place1960 Rome800 metres

Ursula Donath (née Jurewitz, later Brehme, 30 July 1931 – 12 April 2026) was an athlete from East Germany who specialised in the 400 metres and 800 metres. She was born in Saldus, Latvia.[1]

Her biggest achievement came at the 1960 Summer Olympics, where she competed for the United Team of Germany. She won the bronze medal in the 800 metres.[1]

Donath was also a prolific winner at the World Student Games. At the 1954 edition she won the 400 and 800 metres. At the 1955 edition she won the 400 metres with a bronze medal in the 800 metres, while the 1957 edition brought her a silver medal in the 400 and gold in the 800 metres.[2]

She won the East German national title in 400 metres, representing the club SC Chemie Halle. This was the inaugural national 400 metres competition.[3] She was even more prolific in the East German cross-country championships, which she won in 1951 (inaugural), 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957 and 1960.[4] During these years, Donath also helped SC Chemie Halle win the club competition in 1957, 1960 and 1961.[5]

Donath died in Halle (Saale) on 12 April 2026, at the age of 94.[6]

References

  1. 1 2 Ursula Donath at Olympedia
  2. ↑ "World Student Games (UIE)". GBR Athletics. Athletics Weekly. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  3. ↑ "Leichtathletik - DDR - Meisterschaften - Bahn (Damen - Teil 1)". Sport-Komplett. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  4. ↑ "Leichtathletik - DDR - Cross - Meisterschaften (Damen)". Sport-Komplett. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  5. ↑ "Leichtathletik - DDR - Cross - Meisterschaften (1-2-3km - Damen - Mannschaft)". Sport-Komplett. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  6. ↑ "Bronze in Rom: Halle trauert um Ulla Donath, die erste Medaillengewinnern bei Olympia". mz.de, 22 April 2026 (in German). Retrieved 25 April 2026.