THE SPORT OF ROWING 91. The Unified German Team Eastern Zone – Western Zone – Karl Adam After World War II, the defeated Germany was split by the Allied occupying powers into four separate zones of influence, which, in turn, evolved into two separate independent countries. In the south and west, the Bundesrepublik Deutschland or Federal Republic of Germany was formed from the French, British and American zones.4130 could get one medal in each event. Afterwards, they could get two!”4133 In the northeast, the Deutsche Demokratische Republik or German Democratic Republic was formed from the Soviet zone.4131 The International Olympic Committee did not immediately recognize the two countries as separate entities for the purposes of competitive sport. In fact, for nearly two decades after the war had ended, the two Germanys were required to enter a Unified German Olympic Team. Only in 1968 were separate squads allowed. According to Tony Johnson,4132 “In those days we considered the change bad for the rest of the world. Before, Germans 4130 Familiarly known in Western countries as West Germany, the abbreviation was BRD in German, FRG in English and RFA for République Fédéral Allemande in French. 4131 Familiarly known as East Germany only in Western countries, the abbreviation was DDR in German, GDR in English and RDA for République Démocratique Allemande in French. The name “East Germany” was considered insulting in GDR. In this book, I have attempted to avoid “East Germany” whenever possible. 4132 See Chapter 110. The Germans in the Northeast During the first quarter of the 20th throughout Century, English professional coaches had spread Fairbairnism Germany.4134 As the Iron Curtain fell after World War II, isolating the German Democratic Republic from the West, the memory of Fairbairn combined with the influence of their new Soviet protectors,4135 also Fairbairn-influenced, to form the foundation of what would turn out to be a virtually unprecedented dynasty in international sport. By the 1960s, GDR crews were rowing an early version of the technique which would help the next generation of their countrymen dominate world rowing during the 1970s and ‘80s. They used a slightly accelerated slide, transitioning seamlessly into a strong and effective splashless entry. This strongly echoed the Moscow Style recovery and was also used by several other Eastern Bloc and Western European crews of the era. Like the Soviets, GDR crews used legs, backs and arms concurrently on the pullthrough, but unlike many Soviets, they 4133 Johnson, USRA Clinic, Chula Vista, CA, Sept 11-2, 2004 4134 See Chapter 21. 4135 See Chapter 79. 1142
