Triathlon trailblazer Jürgen Zäck celebrates his 60th birthday in Koblenz.
Former Triathlon Champion Jürgen Zäck Still Active in Coaching Roles
Jürgen Zäck, a renowned figure in the world of triathlon, was born on August 8, 1965, in Koblenz, Germany. Zäck, who turned 60 this year, rose to fame in the pioneer era of triathlon, becoming a specialist in longer distances and setting records that still stand today.
In 1983, Zäck switched from middle-distance running to triathlon, and in 1988, he won his first German championship in Gerolstein, over the short distance. His success continued, and in 1992, he won the world championship in the long-distance duathlon.
Zäck's ambitions extended to the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii, and he competed there eleven times, although he never won the title. However, in 1997, he became vice-world champion and set a German record in Roth with a time of 7:51:42. This record stood until 2011.
In May 2006, Zäck was caught using a banned substance during training, leading to a two-year suspension that effectively ended his career. Despite this incident, Zäck has not been found to have any other doping allegations associated with his name.
Today, Zäck lives and works in Thailand, having previously resided on Hawaii. If he is in his hometown of Koblenz, he is likely to be found in one of the cafés on the Münzplatz. Many have met or thought they have met him there.
Zäck is now active as a coach, helping athletes improve in triathlon and cycling disciplines. However, detailed historical or investigative information about doping in German triathlon athletes may require specialized sports federation or anti-doping agency records, which are not included here.
Sources:
- Triathlon.org
- German Triathlon Federation
- World Anti-Doping Agency
- Cyclingnews
Jürgen Zäck, despite his past suspension due to a banned substance, continues to be active in the sports domain, focusing on coaching triathlon and cycling. His impressive records and achievements in the world of triathlon still resonate strongly in the sports community.
