Eduard Schönecker

Edi Schönecker, born Eduard Martin Schönecker in Vienna on 21 January 1885, was an Austrian sprinter, footballer and stadium architect. He ran the 100 and 200 metres for Austria at the 1908 London Olympics but was eliminated in the heats of both events, placing fourth in his 100 metres heat and third in his 200 metres heat. He also played football with SK Rapid Wien and won a single cap for the Austrian national team in 1904; his brother Dionys was also a footballer and later coached Rapid Wien to twelve national championships. After his playing days Schönecker became better known as a builder of sports grounds. He designed Stadium Pfarrwiese, the home of Rapid Wien until 1981, and was responsible for the Hohe Warte Stadium, home of First Vienna FC, which was among the biggest football stadiums in Europe when it was built and is still in use. He died in Vienna on 6 April 1963.