Rainer Schmidt
Born: 01.04.1948
Rainer Schmidt
CURRENT
Now I am a pensioner and "grandchild caretaker" in Leipzig.
Greatest successes
1972 Olympic bronze large hill, Sapporo
1973 Winner of the Four Hills Tournament, BRD/Österreich
1975 World Championship Silver Ski Flying, Bad Mitterndorf/Kulm
Family
Married, 1 daughter and 2 grandchildren
Motto
Only look forward, you can't change what was, You can only make new things better.
Your Oberhof
During my active time, the ski jumps in Oberhof were my training grounds. We lived in Oberhof from 1974 to 2011. That connects me a lot with this place. My current point of contact is still my regulars' table in "Carstens Bistro".
What was your sporting career like?
After moving with my parents from Langewiesen to Zella-Mehlis, I came into contact with the sport of ski jumping.
From the 5th grade onwards, I attended the KJS Zella-Mehlis to learn this sport.
1968 - Abitur
1968 -1976 - Member of the GDR national ski jumping team
1976 - End of career
1976 - graduated as a sports teacher at the DHfK Leipzig
from 1976 to 2011 coach in different age groups, last from 1993 to 2011 as state coach ski jumping of the TSV
Who is your role model?
I am not a friend of "role model" . That is too absolute for me. Reference persons for certain life situations - yes.
My reference person for discovering ski jumping for me was Helmut Recknagel.
What was the most emotional moment of your sporting career?
Certainly the award ceremonies for the aforementioned sporting successes. But I also wouldn't want to miss many "small" experiences in my long career as an athlete and coach.
What was the biggest sporting disappointment for you?
Missing the qualification for the 1976 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck was a sporting disappointment.
But defeats are also helpful if you deal with them properly.
What are your goals for the future?
To stay healthy so that I can be an active help to my family - especially my grandchildren - for a few more years.
... because Oberhof has shaped my life. It's a top working base for athletes. I was allowed to get to know so many characters, interests and currents here and thus gain life experiences. Just a special and great place on the Rennsteig.
