Andreas Krieger Former German athlete who changed gender Date of Birth: 20.07.1966 Country: Germany

Biography of Andreas Krieger

Andreas Krieger, formerly known as Heidi Krieger, is a former German athlete who gained international recognition in the field of athletics. Born in 1966 in East Germany, Krieger displayed promising talent in sports from a young age and eventually joined the national team for training.

During the 1970s and 1980s, when Krieger was actively involved in sports, the use of performance-enhancing drugs was rampant in German sports. This would later become the subject of one of the most significant doping scandals in the history of world sports. However, the investigation into these practices began much later, after Krieger's career had already taken a different turn.

In 1986, at the European Championships, Krieger achieved a remarkable feat by winning gold in the women's shot put event. This victory opened up extraordinary opportunities for her, with many predicting a successful career as an Olympic champion. Unfortunately, at the age of 20, Krieger started experiencing severe back pain, forcing her to retire from competitive sports.

Following her retirement, Krieger's physical appearance began to change, and she started to be mistaken for a man. This transformation, coupled with a deep internal struggle over her gender identity, led Krieger to a state of depression so severe that she even attempted to take her own life. Eventually, she made the decision to transition from Heidi Krieger to Andreas Krieger.

In the subsequent years, a high-profile investigation shed light on the extensive doping practices in East Germany, with Krieger being one of the victims. It was revealed that her coach had administered "innocent" pills that disrupted her hormonal balance and caused permanent damage to her body. The legal proceedings held those responsible accountable, including Manfred Ewald, the former president of the German Sports Federation in East Germany, and Manfred Hoeppner, a former vice director of the country's sports medical service.

While Krieger remained distant from the world of competitive sports and victories, her health deteriorated, and she felt that her life lacked purpose. It took eleven years for her to find the courage to confront her true identity and undergo gender confirmation surgery in 1997, officially becoming Andreas Krieger.

Today, Andreas Krieger resides in Magdeburg, Germany. He is married to former athlete Ute Krause, who also fell victim to the doping scandal. They have a daughter together, and Andreas currently works in the sales of military and outdoor equipment. Krieger's sporting legacy is commemorated by the Heidi-Krieger-Medaille, an award named in her honor, which is given to those who have made significant contributions to the fight against doping.