Robert Harting German discus thrower Date of Birth: 18.10.1984 Country: Germany

1. Biography of Robert Harting
2. Early Life and Junior Career
3. Transition to the Senior Level
4. Continued Success and Olympic Achievement
5. European Championships and Diamond League
6. Continued Dominance and Olympic Gold
7. Celebrations and Recognition

Biography of Robert Harting

Robert Harting is a German discus thrower who represents the sports club 'SCC Berlin'. He is coached by Werner Goldmann. Standing at 201 cm tall and weighing between 126 and 130 kg, Harting is known for his exuberant celebrations, which include ripping his shirt open like the incredible Hulk and running shirtless.

Early Life and Junior Career

Robert Harting was born on October 18, 1984, in Cottbus, GDR (East Germany). He won the silver medal at the Junior World Championships in 2001. However, he had less success in subsequent championships, finishing eighth in the qualifying rounds of the Junior World Championships in 2002.

Transition to the Senior Level

Harting won his first gold medal at the European Athletics U23 Championships in 2005. He then competed at the 2006 European Athletics Championships but failed to make a valid throw. In 2007, he improved his personal best to 66.93 m and won the silver medal at the World Athletics Championships. He finished fourth at the IAAF World Athletics Final and second at the European Winter Throwing Cup in the following year.

Continued Success and Olympic Achievement

Harting broke his personal record with a throw of 68.65 m in Kaunas and was selected to represent the German team at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. He finished fourth with a throw of 67.09 m. In 2008, he won the bronze medal at the IAAF World Athletics Final. At the 2009 World Championships in Berlin, Harting initially aimed for the silver medal but ended up winning the gold with a personal record of 69.43 m.

European Championships and Diamond League

Harting set a record of 66.80 m, helping Germany win the European Team Championships in 2010. He became the national champion with a throw of 68.67 m at the German Athletics Championships. Although he threw 68.47 m in the final of the 2010 European Athletics Championships, it was not enough to surpass Piotr Malachowski, and Harting finished in second place.

In 2010, Harting participated in the IAAF Diamond League and won the Weltklasse Zurich. However, Malachowski once again outperformed Harting in the overall standings. Harting finally defeated Malachowski, achieving a personal best of 69.69 m in Neubrandenburg.

Continued Dominance and Olympic Gold

Harting successfully defended his title as World Champion in 2011, throwing a distance of 68.97 m. In May 2012, he surpassed his personal best with a throw of 70.31 m at the Hallesche Werfertage Meeting, marking a significant milestone in his career. At the 2012 European Athletics Championships in Helsinki, Finland, Harting claimed first place with a throw of 68.30 m. He then went on to win the gold medal at the 2012 Olympic Games in London with a throw of 68.27 m.

Celebrations and Recognition

Unlike many other Olympic champions who shed tears of joy, Harting tore his shirt, flexed his muscles with a mighty roar, and grabbed the German flag from the Olympic Stadium. He sprinted onto the track designated for the women's 100-meter hurdles. Ultimately, he attempted to pull one of the giant burning torches from the Olympic cauldron but failed. Afterward, Harting continued his celebration on board a German cruise ship, where the team was staying in London, and indulged in heavy drinking. The evening ended on a sour note when Harting, who had fallen asleep on a train, was robbed. Despite his antics, he was hailed as a hero upon returning to Germany. Officials in his hometown of Berlin planned a victory parade. Klaus Wowereit, the governing mayor of Berlin, described Harting's victory as "phenomenal." According to tradition, German medalists appear in a parade the morning after their victory. However, Harting was allowed to sleep and join the parade in the afternoon.