Rainer Henkel (born 27 February 1964 in Opladen) is a retired freestyle swimmer from Germany, former World and European Champion in 1500 m freestyle. He also won the silver medal in the 4×200 m freestyle relay for West Germany at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles and the bronze medal in the 4×200 m freestyle relay for West Germany at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul.

Career

At the World Championships Henkel won four medals: two golds in the 400 m freestyle and 1500 m freestyle in 1986, silver in the 4×200 m freestyle, and bronze in the 4×200 m freestyle. Furthermore, he won five medals at the European Championships: two golds in the 1500 m freestyle and 4×200 m freestyle in 1987, two silver medals in the 1500 m freestyle in 1985 and the 400 m freestyle in 1987, and one bronze in the 400 m freestyle in 1985.

Private life

From 1989 to 2001 he was married to the former German high jumper Heike Henkel.