Career
Schmid was one of the best 400 metres hurdles runners in the world during his career. His duels with Edwin Moses during the late 1970s and early 1980s are unforgettable. He was the last person to beat Moses before the incredible streak of victories, many with Schmid the closest challenger.
His race against Moses in Rome, 1987, is ranked as one of the races of the century.
His personal best over 400 m hurdles was 47.48 s (done twice in 1982 and the race in 1987), at one point the European record and the second fastest time ever. As of 1 September 2014, his time of 47.48 secs from Rome in 1987 is the fastest third-placing run in history.
Harald Schmid has a Doctor of Philosophy in Sports Science and was appointed to the IAAF athletes commission in 1999.