Peter-Michael Kolbe

Peter-Michael Kolbe (; 2 August 1953 – 8 December 2023) was a German rower who specialized in the single sculls. In this event, between 1975 and 1988 he won five world titles In 1975, he won his first World Rowing Championship in the single scull. He was named West German Sportsman of the year for this achievement. He went into the 1976 Olympics as the favorite. On the day of the Olympic finals, the wind was fierce and the course difficult. Kolbe led the entire race only to be passed in the closing moments by Karppinen who had trailed badly during the early portions of the race. Kolbe's reward was a silver medal.

West Germany boycotted the 1980 Summer Olympics to protest the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan. Kolbe left the single scull and rowed in the West German national eight (8+), which raced in several European events. His rival Karppinen won the gold medal at the Olympics.

In 1982, Kolbe moved to Oslo to be with his Norwegian wife, a journalist whom he met at the 1975 World Championships.

At the 1988 Olympics, Kolbe finally beat Karppinen at the Olympics, but there was a new sculling sensation. Thomas Lange won the race with Kolbe again getting silver, and Karppinen not even making the finals. Kolbe was consistently fast. In all Kolbe's Olympic and World Championship races, only Karppinen, Lange and Andrew Sudduth were ever able to beat Kolbe in a regularly rigged boat.

He later returned to Germany and in 1994 became director of the German Rowing Federation.

In July 2016, Kolbe was inducted into Germany's Sports Hall of Fame.

Kolbe died on 8 December 2023, at the age of 70.