title: Kalevi Kotkas
text: # 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 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 |
  | 1934 | European Championships | Turin, Italy | 10th | Discus throw | 42.50 m |
  | 1936 | Olympic Games | Berlin, Germany | 4th | High jump | 2.00 m |
  | 1936 | Olympic Games | Berlin, Germany | 21st (q) | Discus throw | x |
  | 1938 | European Championships | Paris, France | 2nd | High jump | 1.94 m |
  | 1938 | European Championships | Paris, France | 4th | Discus throw | 48.63 m |
  | 1938 | European Championships | Paris, France | 11th | Shot put | 13.92 m |
  