Harald Schmid, the 1982 European 400m hurdles champion, recalls his remarkable performances over 400m and 400m hurdles at the European Cup in Turin in 1979 … and why the competition meant a great deal to him

Schmid on his record-breaking performances …

Harald Schmid competed in every European Cup between 1977 and 1989. The West German had 12 starts in the competition over 400m, 4x400m relay and his specialist event, the 400m hurdles.

Schmid’s finest day occurred in 1979 in Turin when he set a new European 400m hurdles record of 47.85 seconds and then returned to the track an hour later to secure victory in the flat 400m in 45.31 seconds. His astonishing weekend culminated with another victory in the 4x400m relay.

“I remember that the weather was very good in Turin,” he explained. “I always loved running in hot weather so I had a very good feeling before the race, almost as if I was on my summer holidays!

“So it was a very easy race for me and I was not tired at all afterwards.

“I knew after the good time in the hurdles that I could run well in the flat race too. I decided one week before to compete in the 400m as well as the 400m hurdles.”

Schmid on the European Cup …

Schmid demonstrated tremendous commitment to the European Cup throughout his career, winning his specialist event four times and finishing second on three occasions.

“I was very well prepared for the event as the European Cup was a very high-level competition with a very good reputation in the eyes of the athletes,” Harald explained.

“In 1979, the European Cup was the most important competition of the year so I focused on being at my peak there.”