Sylvio Kroll (born 29 April 1965 in Lübben) is a German former artistic gymnast. He represented East Germany at the 1988 Olympic Games and Germany at the 1992 Olympic Games. He is a two-time Olympic silver medalist and two-time World Champion.
Early life Kroll was born in Lübben, East Germany on April 29, 1965. He began training gymnastics under the tutelage of coach Guido Janz, father of Olympic champion Karin Büttner-Janz.
Gymnastics career Kroll made his World Championship debut at the 1983 edition, with his best finish being fourth on vault. He did not compete at the 1984 Summer Olympics due to East Germany boycotting the Olympics. He did compete at the Friendship Games (alternative Olympics) where he helped East Germany win silver behind the Soviet Union. Individually he won gold on vault and bronze on floor exercise.
At the 1985 European Championships, Kroll won gold on vault and silver on pommel horse and parallel bars. Later that year at the 1985 World Championships, Kroll helped East Germany win bronze as a team. Individually he won gold on parallel bars, silver on horizontal bar, and bronze in the all-around. In October 1986, he was awarded a Star of People's Friendship in gold (second class) for his sporting success.
At the 1987 European Championships, Kroll was unable to defend his title and won silver on vault behind Yuri Korolyov. However, at the 1987 World Championships, Kroll co-won vault alongside Lou Yun of China. Kroll made his Olympic debut at the 1988 Summer Olympics where he helped East Germany win silver, tying East Germany's best Olympic team placement from 1980. Individually Kroll won silver on vault behind Lou.
At the 1989 World Championships Kroll won silver on vault behind compatriot Jörg Behrend. At the 1991 World Championships, Kroll helped a reunified Germany win bronze as a team. Kroll represented Germany at the 1992 Olympics where he placed sixth on vault.
Kroll retired from gymnastics in 1994 at the age of 29.
Post-gymnastics career After retiring from competitive gymnastics, Kroll became a judge, continuing to participate in national and international competitions. In 2005, he began working for the German Gymnastics Federation, initially serving as a member of the Executive Board for Elite Olympic Sports. He was elected Vice President for Elite Olympic Sports in 2013. In 2021, he stepped down from his role, opting to not re-run for election.
Competitive history +Competitive history of Sylvio KrollYearEvent 1982 GDR Championships Junior European Championships 9 7 4 Jr. GDR-TCH Dual Meet 6 Tournament of Tomorrow 5 1983 Chunichi Cup 7 FRA-GDR Dual Meet GDR Championships GDR-NOR Dual Meet Jr. GDR-USSR Dual Meet World Championships 15 7 5 4 1984 Chunichi Cup 4 5 GDR Championships Friendship Games 19 Tokyo Cup 8 1985 Cottbus International 4 DTB Cup European Championships 4 5 Arthur Gander Memorial 4 GDR Championships GDR-SUI Dual Meet Moscow News 6 5 4 5 World Championships 4 6 8 8 1986 Belgian Gym Masters 7 FRA-GDR Dual Meet Goodwill Games 4 7 5 World Cup 4 8 5 1987 American Cup 8 Cottbus International DTB Cup 4 DTV Cup European Championships 4 7 8 4 Arthur Gander Memorial GDR Championships 4 World Championships 4 6 5 4 1988 DTB Cup 5 6 4 GDR Championships Olympic Games 19 8 7 1989 Cottbus International GDR Championships GDR Cup World Championships 10 7 World Sports Fair 7 1990 Joaquin Blume Memorial 4 Goodwill Games 4 6 6 Olympic Cup 1991 Chunichi Cup 8 5 5 5 Cottbus International 4 4 German Championships Tokyo Cup 6 6 World Championships 5 7 8 4 5 6 1992 Cottbus International 5 6 Olympic Games 4 26 4 1994 Reese's International Cup 4
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