In 1967 he became the first German to set a world decathlon record in 34 years; he was voted German Sportsman of the Year, received the Silbernes Lorbeerblatt, and was cast in bronze by Arno Breker.

Next year he won a bronze medal at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City.

[1][2] Bendlin won national decathlon titles in 1965, 1967, 1971, and 1974.

He studied Physical Education at the German Sport University Cologne after his diploma he worked as a teacher of physical education.

This article about an athletics Olympic medalist for Germany is a stub.