Competing in the 800 m Gleichfeld finished fifth at the Olympic Games in 1960 and 1964; she won a bronze medal at the 1966 European Championships. She also won three medals at the Universiade; a gold in 1961 and silver medals in 1963 and 1965. At the 1969 European Championships she won a bronze medal in the 4 × 400 m relay, together with teammates Christa Czekay, Inge Eckhoff and Christel Frese.