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 (born February 25, 1962) is a famous German kayaker. She is one of the greatest Olympic athletes ever. Birgit won eight gold medals in canoe sprint across six different Olympic Games. This amazing record spans seven Olympiads.

She first competed for East Germany. Later, she represented the reunited nation. Birgit retired twice, after the 1988 and 2000 Olympics. But she always came back to compete again! She holds a special record in canoeing. She was both the youngest (at 18) and oldest (at 42) Olympic canoeing champion. In 2004, she was named the German sportswoman of the year.

Early Life and Family

Birgit Fischer was born in Brandenburg an der Havel, which was part of East Germany at the time. She grew up loving sports. She went to a special sports school in Potsdam.

Birgit was married to fellow canoeist Jörg Schmidt from 1984 to 1993. Jörg also won an Olympic silver medal in canoeing in 1988. Birgit lives in Brandenburg with her two children.

Her family has many talented canoeists. Her niece, Fanny Fischer, won a gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Birgit's brother, Frank Fischer, also won nine world championship medals in canoeing.

Amazing Sports Career

Birgit Fischer's career is full of incredible achievements. Besides her Olympic medals, she won many medals at the ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships. Between 1978 and 2005, she earned 38 world championship medals. An amazing 28 of these were gold medals!

She was the top medal winner in canoe sprint for a long time. Later, another great canoeist, Katalin Kovács from Hungary, surpassed her record in 2011.

Beyond Canoeing

After her incredible sports career, Birgit Fischer found new interests. She is also a talented photographer. Her artworks are shown through the Art of the Olympians. This group features art created by Olympic athletes.

See also

In Spanish: Birgit Fischer para niños

• List of multiple Olympic gold medalists
• List of multiple Olympic gold medalists in one event
• List of multiple Olympic medalists
• List of multiple Summer Olympic medalists
• List of athletes with the most appearances at Olympic Games