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.

Kalevi Kotkas

Personal information
Full name	Kalevi Kotkas
Nationality	Estonian, Finnish
Born	10 August 1913 Tallinn, Governorate of Estonia, Russian Empire
Died	24 August 1983(1983-08-24) (aged 70) Vantaa, Finland
Height	194 cm (6 ft 4 in)
Weight	100 kg (220 lb)
Sport
Country	Finland
Sport	Athletics
Event(s)	High jump, discus throw, shot put
Club	Helsingin 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 Turin High jump 1938 Paris High 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).

National titles

• Finnish Athletics Championships
  • High jump: 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1938
  • Discus throw: 1933, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1938

International competitions

Year	Competition	Venue	Position	Event	Notes
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