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Hans Wilhelm Gäb, Influential German Sports Leader, Dies at 89

The former table tennis champion and sports official is remembered for his ethical leadership, cross-sector impact, and advocacy for societal values.

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Overview

  • Hans Wilhelm Gäb, a former German table tennis champion and sports official, passed away on April 13, 2025, at the age of 89, as confirmed by the German Table Tennis Federation and Borussia Düsseldorf.
  • Gäb served 45 years on the presidium of the German Table Tennis Federation, leading the organization as president from 1981 to 1994 and modernizing the sport in Germany.
  • He held prominent roles in the automotive industry, including positions at Ford, Opel, and General Motors Europe, and resigned from Opel's supervisory board in 1998 in protest of corporate strategy.
  • Gäb was a vocal advocate for ethics in sports, returning his Olympic Order in 2016 to protest the IOC's handling of the Russian doping scandal during the Rio Olympics.
  • He founded organ donation initiatives following his liver transplant, launched the German Sports Hall of Fame, and mentored athletes like Timo Boll, leaving a legacy of integrity and societal impact.