Introduction
Falk Balzer (born 14 December 1973 in Leipzig) is a former German hurdler best known for winning the silver medal at the 1998 European Championships in Budapest, Hungary. A son of former East German hurdler Karin Balzer he represented his native country at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia.
Between 1994 and 1997, Balzer studied philosophy and psychology, then German and history until 2004, when he was awarded a Master's degree. He also studied law as a minor subject between 1999-2003. During his studies, he was part of the Bundeswehr Frankenberg sports promotion group from 1997 until 2000. In his last year, he was awarded the Cross of Honour of the Bundeswehr in silver.
Doping
Balzer tested positive for Nandrolone in January 2001, The German Athletics Federation subsequently handed him a two-year doping ban.