Steffi Nerius
Steffi Nerius is a retired German track and field athlete who competed in the javelin throw. During her career, she was a 2006 [European Athletics Championships – Women's javelin throw|European] and 2009 [World Championships in Athletics – Women's javelin throw|World Champion]. She also Athletics at the [2004 Summer Olympics – Women's javelin throw|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 Athletics Junior Championships|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.