At the age of 39 she won her third world championship title in 2007 in Osaka. After spending a year away from the field due to health problems, she returned to competition at the Wiesbaden meet. She finished in second place with 61.49 metres, remaining focused on defending her discus World Champion at the 2009 World Championships,Wenig, Jörg (18 May 2009). Fine start for Berlin’s Robert Harting – German competition weekend round-up. IAAF. Retrieved on 2009-05-18. at which she finished 23rd at 58.44 metres, failing to qualify for the final. She retired the same year as one of the few remaining athletes to have represented East Germany internationally.Leichtathletik.de (6 September 2009) Franka Dietzsch und Steffi Nerius sagen Adieu Retrieved on 2017-04-12.
