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He was eliminated in the semi-finals of the 100 m and finished fourth in the 200 m competition.
He was eliminated in the semi-finals of the 100 m and finished fourth in the 200 m competition.
Rau started competing in flat sprint and hurdles in 1908, winning several national championships and setting 20 national records over his career, often under pseudonym Richard Einsporn. After retirement he ran a sports shop, and in 1933 joined the Nazi Party, reaching the rank of Steamship Hauptsturmbannführer in 1938. In 1945 he was captured by the American forces and handed over to the Soviet Union.
He was shot during a failed escape attempt, and moved to a prisoners camp in Vyasma, where he died in a few months.
He was also a member of the German relay team which was disqualified in the final of the 4 × 100 m relay after a fault with its second baton passing.