Hannes Kolehmainen

Hannes Kolehmainen
Kolehmainen in 1920
Personal information
Born9 December 1889
Kuopio, Grand Duchy of Finland, Russian Empire
(present-day Finland)
Died11 January 1966 (aged 76)
Helsinki, Finland
Height1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)
Weight57 kg (126 lb)
Sport
SportRunning
ClubHelsingin Jyry
FAAC, New York
Medal record
Representing Finland Finland
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 1912 Stockholm 5000 metres
Gold medal – first place 1912 Stockholm 10000 metres
Gold medal – first place 1912 Stockholm Individual cross country
Gold medal – first place 1920 Antwerp Marathon
Silver medal – second place 1912 Stockholm Team cross country

Juho Pietari "Hannes" Kolehmainen (Finnish: [ˈhɑnːes ˈkolehmɑi̯nen] ⓘ; 9 December 1889 – 11 January 1966) was a Finnish four-time Olympic gold medalist and a world record holder in middle- and long-distance running.[1] He was the first in a generation of great Finnish long-distance runners, often named the "Flying Finns". Kolehmainen competed for a number of years in the United States, wearing the Winged Fist of the Irish American Athletic Club.[2] He also enlisted in the 14th Regiment of the National Guard of New York,[2] and became a U.S. citizen in 1921.[3]

  1. ^ "Hannes Kolehmainen". Olympedia. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Smooth Stride Chief Asset of Kolehmainen; Great Finnish Distance Runner, Who Has Plucked Titles Galore, Trains Earnestly and Has Amazing Stamina" (PDF). The New York Times. 5 March 1919. Retrieved 11 January 2009.
  3. ^ "Hannes Kolehmainen, Marathon Champion, Is Now U.S. Citizen" (PDF). The New York Times. 15 January 1921. Retrieved 11 January 2009.