Birgit Fischer facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Birgit Fischer

Fischer in 2010
Personal information
Birth name	Birgit Fischer
Nationality	German
Born	(1962-02-25) 25 February 1962 (age 63) Brandenburg an der Havel, East Germany
Height	172 cm
Weight	69 kg
Sport
Sport	Canoe sprint
Medal record Women's canoe sprint Olympic Games Representing  East Germany Gold 1980 Moscow K-1 500 m Gold 1988 Seoul K-2 500 m Gold 1988 Seoul K-4 500 m Silver 1988 Seoul K-1 500 m Representing  Germany Gold 1992 Barcelona K-1 500 m Gold 1996 Atlanta K-4 500 m Gold 2000 Sydney K-2 500 m Gold 2000 Sydney K-4 500 m Gold 2004 Athens K-4 500 m Silver 1992 Barcelona K-4 500 m Silver 1996 Atlanta K-2 500 m Silver 2004 Athens K-2 500 m World Championships Representing  East Germany Gold 1978 Belgrade K-4 500 m Gold 1979 Duisburg K-4 500 m Gold 1981 Nottingham K-1 500 m Gold 1981 Nottingham K-2 500 m Gold 1981 Nottingham K-4 500 m Gold 1982 Belgrade K-1 500 m Gold 1982 Belgrade K-2 500 m Gold 1982 Belgrade K-4 500 m Gold 1983 Tampere K-1 500 m Gold 1983 Tampere K-2 500 m Gold 1983 Tampere K-4 500 m Gold 1985 Mechelen K-1 500 m Gold 1985 Mechelen K-2 500 m Gold 1985 Mechelen K-4 500 m Gold 1987 Duisburg K-1 500 m Gold 1987 Duisburg K-2 500 m Gold 1987 Duisburg K-4 500 m Representing  Germany Gold 1993 Copenhagen K-1 500 m Gold 1993 Copenhagen K-4 500 m Gold 1994 Mexico City K-1 500 m Gold 1994 Mexico City K-4 500 m Gold 1995 Duisburg K-4 500 m Gold 1997 Dartmouth K-2 200 m Gold 1997 Dartmouth K-2 500 m Gold 1997 Dartmouth K-2 1000 m Gold 1997 Dartmouth K-4 200 m Gold 1997 Dartmouth K-4 500 m Gold 1998 Szeged K-4 500 m Silver 1994 Mexico City K-2 200 m Silver 1994 Mexico City K-4 200 m Silver 1995 Duisburg K-4 200 m Silver 1998 Szeged K-2 500 m Silver 1998 Szeged K-2 1000 m Silver 1999 Milan K-4 500 m Bronze 1993 Copenhagen K-1 5000 m Bronze 1994 Mexico City K-2 500 m Bronze 2005 Zagreb K-2 200 m Bronze 2005 Zagreb K-4 1000 m

Birgit Fischer is a famous German kayaker. She is known for being one of the most successful Olympic athletes ever! She won an amazing eight gold medals in canoe sprint over six different Olympic Games. This is a record she shares with only two other athletes. She competed for East Germany first, and then for the reunited nation. Birgit was both the youngest and oldest Olympic canoeing champion, winning at age 18 and again at 42! In 2004, she was chosen as the German sportswoman of the year.

Early Life and Training

Birgit Fischer was born on February 25, 1962, in Brandenburg an der Havel, which was then part of East Germany. She went to a special sports boarding school in Potsdam. There, she trained to become a top athlete. She also worked as a sports instructor.

Family and Connections

Birgit Fischer was married to canoeist Jörg Schmidt from 1984 to 1993. He won a silver medal in canoeing at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. Birgit lives with her two children in Brandenburg. Her niece, Fanny Fischer, also competed for Germany at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Fanny won a gold medal in the K-4 500 m event. Birgit's brother, Frank Fischer, also won many medals in world championships.

Olympic Achievements

Birgit Fischer's Olympic career is truly remarkable. She won medals in six different Olympic Games. She even retired twice, after the 1988 and 2000 Games, but came back to compete again!

• 1980 Moscow Olympics: She won her first gold medal in the K-1 500 m event.
• 1988 Seoul Olympics: She won two more gold medals (K-2 500 m, K-4 500 m) and a silver medal (K-1 500 m).
• 1992 Barcelona Olympics: She won another gold medal (K-1 500 m) and a silver medal (K-4 500 m).
• 1996 Atlanta Olympics: She added another gold medal (K-4 500 m) and a silver medal (K-2 500 m).
• 2000 Sydney Olympics: She won two more gold medals (K-2 500 m, K-4 500 m).
• 2004 Athens Olympics: At 42 years old, she won her eighth and final Olympic gold medal (K-4 500 m) and a silver medal (K-2 500 m).

World Championship Success

Besides her Olympic medals, Birgit Fischer also won many medals at the ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships. She won 38 medals between 1978 and 2005. An amazing 28 of these were gold medals! Her total number of career medals was later passed by another great kayaker, Katalin Kovács from Hungary.

Beyond Canoeing

Birgit Fischer is not just a sports star. She is also a talented photographer. She shows her artwork through a group called the Art of the Olympians.

See also

In Spanish: Birgit Fischer para niños