Career
In the 5,000 metres he repeated this, winning a second silver medal. The family ended up living in Menteroda, Thuringia, in the southern part of the Soviet occupation zone in what remained of Germany. After leaving school Grodotzki worked as a miner in the Volkenroda Potash mines, also playing, in his free time, football and table tennis.
He began athletics training in 1954 after being "talent spotted".
While he was 20 he was called up for his military service, and in 1956 he was sent to the Army Sports Association centre at Potsdam. A period of intensive training under Erich Bock ensued.
Already, 1956 he took the East German 5,000 meter junior record (14:18,0).