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 Representing 1932Olympic GamesLos Angeles, US7thDiscus throw45.87 m1934European ChampionshipsTurin, Italy1stHigh jump2.00 m10thDiscus throw42.50 m1936Olympic GamesBerlin, Germany4th High jump2.00 m21st (q)Discus throwx1938European ChampionshipsParis, France2ndHigh jump1.94 m4thDiscus throw48.63 m11thShot put13.92 m
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