Rita Kirst (née Schmidt on 21 October 1950) is a retired German high jumper. She competed at the 1968, 1972 and 1976 Summer Olympics and finished in fifth, fifth and 22nd place, respectively.[1] Between 1968 and 1974 she won three gold and two bronze medals at the European indoor championships.[2] Her personal best is 1.92 m (1974).[1]

Rita Kirst
Rita Schmidt in 1968
Personal information
Born (1950-10-21) 21 October 1950 (age 74)
Großgrimma, Germany
Height1.72 m (5 ft 8 in)
Weight64 kg (141 lb)
Sport
SportHigh jump
ClubSC DHfK, Leipzig
Medal record
Representing  East Germany
European Championships (indoors)
Gold medal – first place 1968 Madrid High jump
Gold medal – first place 1969 Belgrade High jump
Gold medal – first place 1972 Grenoble High jump
Bronze medal – third place 1970 Vienna High jump
Bronze medal – third place 1974 Gothenburg High jump

She became East German champion six consecutive seasons: 1967 - 1972. She won three silver medals in 1973, 1974 and 1976 and a final gold medal in 1975. She also became East German indoor champion in 1968, 1969, 1970 and 1972. She competed for the sports club SC DHfK Leipzig, and after marrying, ASK Vorwärts Potsdam.[3][4]

In 1972 she married Joachim Kirst, an Olympic decathlete, and would later compete as Rita Kirst. Her sister-in-law Jutta Kirst won a bronze medal in high jump at the 1980 Olympics.[1]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c Rita Schmidt-Kirst. sports-reference.com
  2. ^ Women High Jump EURO INDOOR ALL MEDALS. todor66.com
  3. ^ "Leichtathletik - DDR - Meisterschaften (Hochsprung - Damen)" (in German). Sport-Komplett. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  4. ^ "Leichtathletik - DDR - Hallen - Meisterschaften (Hochsprung - Damen)" (in German). Sport-Komplett. Retrieved 2 April 2019.