Elsa Torikka

Elsa Torikka
Personal information
NationalityFinnish
Born (1930-12-19) 19 December 1930 (age 93)
Jaala, Finland
Sport
SportAthletics
EventJavelin throw

Elsa Backus (née Torikka; born 19 December 1930) is a Finnish athlete. She competed in the women's javelin throw at the 1952 Summer Olympics.[1] Torikka was married to American hammer thrower Bob Backus, whom she had met in Helsinki in 1956.[2] She became a U.S. citizen in 1961.[3]

  1. ^ Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Elsa Torikka Olympic Results". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
  2. ^ "Champions Wed". The Berkshire Eagle. Pittsfield, MA. 30 July 1957. p. 18. Retrieved 16 January 2023 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  3. ^ "Elsa Backus Now a U.S. Citizen". Pasadena Independent. Pasadena, California. 7 July 1961. Retrieved 8 September 2020 – via Newspapers.com. javelin thrower Elsa Backus, wife of Olympic hammer thrower Bob Backus, is now a U.S. citizen ... The Backuses met in Helsinki in 1956