Aleksander Tammert | Today's AI Wiki

1. Early Life and Background

Aleksander Tammert's formative years were steeped in an athletic environment, influenced by his family's sporting heritage.

Aleksander Tammert was born on 2 February 1973, in Tartu, Estonia. His father, Aleksander Tammert Sr. (28 April 1947 - 27 October 2006), was a significant figure in Estonian athletics. Aleksander Tammert Sr. was an accomplished shot putter and later an athletics coach, having won the European Junior Championships in 1966. This strong athletic lineage undoubtedly shaped Tammert's early interest and development in track and field.

1.2. Education

Tammert pursued his academic and athletic career in the United States, attending SMU. He was part of the SMU Mustangs and was a member of the class of 1996, indicating his commitment to both sports and education during his formative years.

2. Athletics Career

Aleksander Tammert's professional athletic journey is marked by numerous appearances at major international competitions and a significant Olympic medal, reflecting his enduring presence and competitive spirit in the sport of discus throwing.

2.1. Major Competitions and Highlights

Tammert competed in five consecutive Olympic Games, showcasing remarkable longevity and consistency. His Olympic appearances include the 1996 Atlanta Olympics (25th place with 194 ft ^{(59.04 m)}), the 2000 Sydney Olympics (9th place with 208 ft ^{(63.25 m)}), the 2004 Athens Olympics, the 2008 Beijing Olympics (12th place with 201 ft ^{(61.32 m)}), and the 2012 London Olympics (27th place with 198 ft ^{(60.2 m)}).

His most significant achievement came at the 2004 Athens Olympics. Tammert initially finished in fourth place in the men's discus throw with a mark of 219 ft ^{(66.66 m)}. However, the original gold medalist, Róbert Fazekas of Hungary, was disqualified for a doping violation. This led to Tammert being elevated to the bronze medal position, a testament to his performance and the integrity of fair competition. A month after the Athens Olympics, he secured another third-place finish at the World Athletics Final in Monte Carlo, Monaco, throwing 209 ft ^{(63.69 m)}.

Tammert continued to be a strong contender in subsequent years. In 2005, he achieved fourth-place finishes at both the World Championships in Helsinki, Finland (213 ft ^{(64.84 m)}), and the World Athletics Final in Monte Carlo (214 ft ^{(65.22 m)}). In both these events, his fellow Estonian discus thrower, Gerd Kanter, earned silver medals.

The following year, in 2006, Tammert once again climbed onto the podium, securing a bronze medal at the European Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden, with a throw of 217 ft ^{(66.14 m)}. He followed this with another third-place finish at the World Athletics Final in Stuttgart, Germany, where he threw 213 ft ^{(64.94 m)}. As in 2005, Gerd Kanter consistently won silver medals at both of these events.

Beyond these major championships, Tammert also achieved notable success at the Universiade, an international multi-sport event for university athletes. He won a gold medal at the 2001 Beijing Universiade in Beijing, China, with a winning throw of 214 ft ^{(65.19 m)}.

2.2. Personal Best

Aleksander Tammert's personal best throw in the discus is 232 ft ^{(70.82 m)}. This career-defining mark was achieved on 15 April 2006, in Denton, Texas, demonstrating his peak physical prowess and technical skill in the sport.

3. Competition Results

Aleksander Tammert's career was marked by consistent participation and strong finishes in numerous international competitions. The following table details his performances at major events:

Year	Tournament	Venue	Result	Mark
1995	World Championships	Gothenburg, Sweden	23rd	192 ft ^{(58.64 m)}
1995	Universiade	Fukuoka, Japan	8th	191 ft ^{(58.14 m)}
1996	Olympic Games	Atlanta, United States	25th	194 ft ^{(59.04 m)}
1997	World Championships	Athens, Greece	12th	195 ft ^{(59.44 m)}
1997	Universiade	Sicily, Italy	5th	203 ft ^{(61.84 m)}
1998	European Championships	Budapest, Hungary	20th	189 ft ^{(57.62 m)}
1999	World Championships	Seville, Spain	10th	204 ft ^{(62.29 m)}
1999	Universiade	Palma, Majorca, Spain	4th	203 ft ^{(61.95 m)}
2000	Olympic Games	Sydney, Australia	9th	208 ft ^{(63.25 m)}
2001	World Championships	Edmonton, Canada	16th	200 ft ^{(61.04 m)}
2001	Universiade	Beijing, China	1st	214 ft ^{(65.19 m)}
2002	European Championships	Munich, Germany	5th	212 ft ^{(64.55 m)}
2003	World Championships	Paris, France	7th	212 ft ^{(64.5 m)}
2003	World Athletics Final	Monte Carlo, Monaco	6th	210 ft ^{(64.02 m)}
2004	Olympic Games	Athens, Greece	3rd	219 ft ^{(66.66 m)}
2004	World Athletics Final	Monte Carlo, Monaco	3rd	209 ft ^{(63.69 m)}
2005	World Championships	Helsinki, Finland	4th	213 ft ^{(64.84 m)}
2005	World Athletics Final	Monte Carlo, Monaco	4th	214 ft ^{(65.22 m)}
2006	European Championships	Gothenburg, Sweden	3rd	217 ft ^{(66.14 m)}
2006	World Athletics Final	Stuttgart, Germany	3rd	213 ft ^{(64.94 m)}
2007	World Championships	Osaka, Japan	8th	211 ft ^{(64.33 m)}
2008	Olympic Games	Beijing, China	12th	201 ft ^{(61.32 m)}
2009	World Championships	Berlin, Germany	13th	204 ft ^{(62.24 m)}
2010	European Championships	Barcelona, Spain	18th	197 ft ^{(60.07 m)}
2012	Olympic Games	London, Great Britain	27th	198 ft ^{(60.2 m)}

4. Personal Life

Beyond his athletic pursuits, Aleksander Tammert maintains a personal life rooted in family and continues to contribute to national representation.

4.1. Family and Marriage

Aleksander Tammert is married to Elizabeta Randjelovič Tammert, who is a Slovenian javelin thrower. Together, they have two daughters. This union highlights a shared passion for athletics within their family.

4.2. Other Activities

Tammert's role in representing Estonia extended beyond his competitive throws. He notably served as the flag bearer for the Estonian delegation during the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics. This honor underscored his status as a respected and recognized figure in Estonian sport.

5. Legacy

Aleksander Tammert's legacy in Estonian athletics is primarily defined by his consistent high-level performance and his historic Olympic bronze medal. His ability to compete at five Olympic Games demonstrates remarkable longevity and dedication in a physically demanding sport. The circumstances of his 2004 Olympic medal, awarded after a disqualification, reinforce the importance of fair play and anti-doping efforts in sports, indirectly highlighting his clean competitive record. Tammert's career, marked by numerous top finishes at World and European Championships, alongside his Universiade gold, solidifies his place as one of Estonia's most successful discus throwers. His continued involvement, including serving as a flag bearer, further underscores his commitment to national representation and the spirit of athletics.