Erich Rademacher

Fritz Albert Erich "Ete" Rademacher (9 June 1901 – 2 April 1979) was a German breaststroke swimmer and water polo goalkeeper who competed at the 1928 and 1932 Olympics. In 1928 he was a member of the German water polo team that won the gold medal, he also won a silver medal in the 200 metres breaststroke. Four years later he won another silver medal with the German water polo team.

Birth Erich Rademacher was born on 9 June 1901 in Magdeburg, Kingdom of Prussia, German Empire, to Heinrich Rademacher.

Early years At 9 years old, on Christmas Eve, Ete received an invitation to become a member of the prestigious Hellas Magdeburg swim club, which was considered the best swim club in the country at the time.

European titles At the 1926 European Championships in Budapest, he took home a bronze medal with his team in water polo, and became the European Champion in the Men's 200 metre breaststroke. He defended this title again in 1927. Finally, at the 1931 European Championships in Paris, he took home a silver medal with his team in water polo.

By the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics, Rademacher was heavy favorite to win the gold medal in the men's 200 metres breaststroke event, as he held the world record of 2:48.

Family His younger brother Joachim was his teammate in both water polo tournaments.

His son Ulrich Rademacher won 11 German swimming titles in 1954–58 and set 37 national records, and his second son Peter Rademacher played for the German water polo team.

Death Erich Rademacher died on 2 April 1979 in Stuttgart, West Germany, at the age of 77.