Steffi Nerius

Steffi Nerius (German pronunciation: [ˈʃtɛ.fi ˈneː.ʁi̯ʊs] ; born 1 July 1972) is a retired German track and field athlete who competed in the javelin throw. During her career, she was a European and World Champion. She also won silver at the 2004 Summer Olympics. Her personal best throw was 68.34 m, set in 2008. This ranks her second among German female javelin throwers, behind Christina Obergföll. Initially playing volleyball in school, Nerius later switched to athletics. She was taught the javelin throw by her mother, a former javelin thrower. Her first international success was a bronze medal at the 1991 European Junior Championships. Her first gold medal at a major competition came at the 2006 European Championships. From 2003 to 2006 she won four consecutive German Championships.