Marita Koch is a retired German sprinter born on March 18, 1957, in Wernigerode, East Germany. She is best known for her achievements in the 400 meters and 200 meters events, setting multiple world records during her athletic career. Koch won two gold medals at the 1980 Moscow Olympics and was a dominant force in women's sprinting throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s. Koch's remarkable speed and technique earned her a reputation as one of the fastest women in history. She held the world record for the 400 meters for over 30 years, with a time of 47.60 seconds set in 1985. Her contributions to athletics have made her a significant figure in the sport.