Ellen Tittel (later Wellmann, later Wessinghage, 28 June 1948 – 7 October 2023) was a West German middle-distance runner who specialized in the 1500 m event. She won the European indoor title in 1973, placing third in 1975, and had another third-place finish at the 1971 European Outdoor Championships. She reached the 1500 m finals at the 1972 and 1976 Summer Olympics, but abandoned the 1972 race due to stomach cramps.[4] In 1971 she helped to set a new world record in the 4 × 800 m relay.[1]
Domestically Tittel set a national record in 1969 and won the national title in 1970–76. In 1975 she was chosen the German Sportspersonality of the Year.[1]
Tittel was a lawyer by profession.[1] Before turning to athletics she tried gymnastics, but found it too boring.[4] She married two fellow Olympic middle-distance runners, first Paul-Heinz Wellmann,[1] and a few years later Thomas Wessinghage.[2] With Wessinghage she had a son Daniel.[4] She died on 7 October 2023, at the age of 75.[5]
References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ellen Tittel.