Kalevi Kotkas

Kalevi Kotkas (10 August 1913 – 24 August 1983) was an Estonian-born Finnish athlete, specializing in high jump, discus throw and shot put. He became the first ever European champion in high jump, in 1934 in Turin, and competed in the 1932 and 1936 Summer Olympics. In 1936 he cleared the same height of 2.00 m as the medalists Dave Albritton and Delos Thurber, but made more attempts and was placed fourth.[1]

Kalevi Kotkas
Personal information
Full nameKalevi Kotkas
Nationality Finland
Born10 August 1913
Tallinn
Died24 August 1983(1983-08-24) (aged 70)
Vantaa
Height194 cm (6 ft 4 in)
Weight100 kg (220 lb)
Sport
Country Finland
SportAthletics
Event(s)High jump, discus throw, shot put
ClubHelsingin Kisa-Veikot
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)HJ – 2.04 m (1936)
DT – 51.27 m (1937)
SP – 15.55 m (1938)
Medal record
Representing  Finland
European Championships
1934 TurinHigh jump
1938 ParisHigh jump

Kalevi Kotkas set four European records in high jump, but two of them – achieved in Rio de Janeiro in 1934 – were never ratified. The ratified records were 2.03 meters (Helsinki, 12 July 1936) and 2.04 meters (Gothenburg, 1 September 1936).[2]

National titles

International competitions
YearCompetitionVenuePositionEventNotes
Representing  Finland
1932 Olympic Games Los Angeles, USA 7th Discus throw 45.87 m
1934 European Championships Turin, Italy 1st High jump 2.00 m
10th Discus throw 42.50 m
1936 Olympic Games Berlin, Germany 4th High jump 2.00 m
21st (q) Discus throw x
1938 European Championships Paris, France 2nd High jump 1.94 m
4th Discus throw 48.63 m
11th Shot put 13.92 m

References
  1. "Kalevi Kotkas". sports-reference. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020.
  2. Track & Field Statistics". Brinkster. Retrieved on 29 July 2015.


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