Eugen Ray

Eugen Ray (26 July 1957 in Gebstedt, Hebbstedt, Germany – 18 January 1986 in Leipzig) was a former East German sprinter who ran in the 100 metres and 200 metres.

Ray died aged 28 on January 18, 1986 in a car accident whilst working as a Traffic Officer in East Germany

Biography

Ray established himself in the elite of world sprinting by setting a world junior 100m record of 10.16 seconds. He was East German 100 metres champion in 1977, 1978, and 1980. In 1978 he also won the East German indoor 60 metres titles, as well as twice indoor 100 metre champion.

He was European cup semi finalist 100 metre champion in 1975, 1977, and 1979. And in 1977 he was European cup 100/200 metre winner. After this he then went on to the world cup held in Germany where he came 2nd in the World Cup 100 metres narrowly beaten by Steve Williams of USA. He then finished 2nd again with the German sprint relay team. A year later he was European silver medalist in the 100 metres and 4x100 metres.

In 1980, he went to the Summer Olympics in Moscow where he ran in the 100 metres, but did not make it past the semi-final. But he was in the East German relay team that finished 5th in the final.

Ray had a running style that showed brute strength and power and he was often referred to as the "power man" of sprinting by several sports commentators in the late 1970s. He was quite heavy and well muscled compared with most of his opponents and he appeared to "bulldoze" his way along the track.

Ray competed in an era when many athletes (Particularly Sprinters) from the former GDR were administered the anabolic steroid Oral-Turinabol.

His 100m personal best was 10.12 seconds.