Birgit Fischer

Birgit Fischer (born 25 February 1962 in Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany) is a kayaker, who has won 8 gold medals over a record 6 different Olympic Games: twice representing East Germany, then four times representing the reunited nation. After both the 1988 and 2000 games, she announced her retirement, only to return for the subsequent games. She has been both the youngest- and oldest-ever Olympic canoeing champion (ages 18 and 42). In 2004 she was voted German sportswoman of the year.

Related Topics:
25 February - 1962 - Brandenburg an der Havel - Germany - Kayaker - Olympic Games - 2004

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She attended an ASK (army sports club) boarding school in Potsdam, and worked as a sports instructor in the National People's Army, attaining a rank of major by the time of German reunification in 1990. She was married from 1984 to 1993 to canoeist Joerg Schmidt. She lives with their two children in Brandenburg. In 1999 she stood unsuccessfully as a candidate for the FDP in the European Parliament election.

Related Topics:
Boarding school - Potsdam - National People's Army - Major - German reunification - 1990 - 1984 - 1993 - Canoe - 1999 - FDP - European Parliament election

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