01/Oct/2000
Kayaking
FISCHER BECOMES GERMANY'S ALL-TIME OLYMPIC BEST

SYDNEY, Australia (Oct. 1)--Kayaker Birgit Fischer became the first German to win seven Olympic gold medals by capturing the women's pairs, her second title in Sydney.

Birgit Fischer (AP Photo)

Fischer's victory in the women's four on Saturday was her sixth gold, tying fellow Germans Reiner Klimke of equestrian and swimmer Kirstin Otto.

Fischer's overall medals total is 10, extending the canoe-kayak record she set Saturday.

Fischer, who competed at several Olympics under the married surname Schmidt but has since divorced, has won at least one gold medal at all five Olympics she's competed, including the last four.

Her collection began with a gold in the solo race in 1980. She missed the '84 games because East Germany was part of the Soviet-led boycott, then won the pairs and quad in '88, the solo in '92 and the quad in '96.

The 20-year span between her first and last golds are the most by any female Olympian, stretching the record she set in Atlanta. She'll have to win in 2008 to tie the overall mark held by Hungarian fencer Aladar Gerevich (1928-60).

Terra Sports/AP