Kate Schmidt facts for kids
Schmidt in 1976
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| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| Born | December 29, 1953 (age 71) Long Beach, California, U.S. |
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| Height | 186 cm | |||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 80 kg | |||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Athletics | |||||||||||||||||||
| Event(s) | Javelin throw | |||||||||||||||||||
| Achievements and titles | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal best(s) | 69.32 m (1977) | |||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Kathryn Joan "Kate" Schmidt is a well-known American athlete. She was born on December 29, 1953. Kate became famous for her amazing skills in the javelin throw. She even held a world record in this sport. Kate won two bronze medals at the Olympic Games. She is a true legend in American track and field.
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Kate Schmidt's Early Life and Training
Kate Schmidt grew up in California. She went to Woodrow Wilson Classical High School. Later, she studied at UCLA. During her school and college years, Kate focused on athletics. She trained hard to become a top javelin thrower. Her dedication helped her achieve great success.
Olympic Achievements
Kate Schmidt competed in the Olympic Games multiple times. She won bronze medals at two different Olympics.
- In 1972, she earned a bronze medal at the Munich Olympics.
- In 1976, she won another bronze medal at the Montreal Olympics.
These medals showed her incredible talent. She was one of the best javelin throwers in the world.
The 1980 Olympics Boycott
Kate also qualified for the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow. However, she could not compete. The United States decided to boycott those games. This meant American athletes did not go. It was a big disappointment for many athletes, including Kate.
Setting New Records
Kate Schmidt was a dominant force in javelin throwing. From 1972 to 1977, she won seven national titles. This means she was the best in the USA seven times!
A World Record Throw
In 1977, Kate set a new world record. She threw the javelin an incredible 69.32 m (227 ft 5.00885827 in) in Fürth, Germany. This throw was much farther than previous records. It was almost 30 feet longer than the old American record. That record was set by Barbara Friedrich in 1967. Kate's throw showed how powerful and skilled she was. She held the American record for many years.
Javelin Redesign
The women's javelin was redesigned in 1999. This change reset all the old records. So, Kate's American record was officially changed. But her achievements still stand as amazing feats.
After Her Competition Career
After retiring from competitive throwing, Kate Schmidt stayed active. She continued to be involved in sports and art.
Hall of Fame Inductions
Kate has been honored by many organizations. She is a member of several Halls of Fame:
- The USATF National Track and Field Hall of Fame (since 1994).
- The National Throws Coaches Hall of Fame.
- The CSULB Hall of Fame.
- The LBCC Hall of Fame.
- The Woodrow Wilson High School Hall of Fame.
These honors celebrate her amazing career.
Current Activities
Kate Schmidt is also a successful businesswoman. She owns a company called HomeBodies. This business helps people with fitness and rehabilitation. For a while, she also coached throwing at Occidental College. This college is in Northern Los Angeles.
Besides sports, Kate is also an artist. She creates abstract art. Her artwork has been shown with the Art of the Olympians (AOTO) organization. This group features art by Olympic athletes.
Masters Championship Win
Even at age 42, Kate Schmidt was still winning. In 1996, she won the javelin event. This was at the Masters National Outdoor Track and Field Championship. The event took place in Spokane, Washington. This shows her lasting passion for the sport.
External links
See also
In Spanish: Kathy Schmidt para niños
