Birgit Fischer

About Birgit Fischer

At the age of 6, Birgit Fischer learned to paddle in a single kayak. Her love for water sports and nature was sparked by her parents.

Since then, she has traveled the world’s seas, rivers, and lakes with various muscle-powered boats.

Today, with 12 Olympic medals, including 8 gold, and 27 world championship titles, she can call herself Germany’s most successful athlete. She is the youngest and oldest Olympic champion in canoe racing. Between 1979 and 2005, she competed in 6 Olympic Games and 13 World Championships, and in 2000, she was the flag bearer for the German Olympic team at the Sydney Games.

Her athletic career was interrupted by 3 long breaks. She repeatedly returned and won again. From 1988, without a coach and training group, the self-made athlete managed to successfully navigate the new sports system after the reunification.

Self-motivation, creativity, and team spirit are her strengths, curiosity and passion her drive.

In addition to her sporting challenges, she managed to raise her 2 children and took time for studying and working. As a single mother, Birgit Fischer left a secure job in 2003 to enter the private sector and opened her paddle and fitness school in Bollmannsruh at Beetzsee. The risk of failure was always present.

In an authentic and humorous way, Fischer shares how one can always “come back” – that it is enjoyable to seek and find one’s path to destiny. How to recognize one’s talents and why living in one’s own biorhythm is easier and more sustainable. She talks about the meaningful connection of sports – children – and professional challenges.