Born: 12 June 1889

Deceased: 26 February 1965

Birthplace: N/A

Nationality: Finland

Sport: Skating

ATTENDANCE AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES

Chamonix 1924

St. Moritz 1928

AWARDS

Olympic medals:

Gold: 1

Silver: 2

Bronze: 1

Other results:

World Championships

Bronze: 1 (24)

European Championships

Gold: 1 (26)

Late bloomer on ice

Speed skater Julius Skutnabb competed in his first world championship in 1914. His promising career was then interrupted by World War I. When international competition began again in 1922, Skutnabb, who made his living as a fireman, was already 32 years old. At the first Winter Olympics in Chamonix in 1924, he took part in every speed skating event. He earned a silver medal in the 5,000m race and placed tenth in the 500m. He finished fourth in the 1,500m, missing a medal by one second. But he also won the 10, 000m, finishing three seconds ahead of fellow Finn, Clas Thunberg. The Chamonix Games were the only ones at which a combined event was contested. Based on his results in the four individual races, Skutnabb earned a bronze medal in the combined. Skutnabb won the all-around title at the 1926 European Championships and then returned to the Olympics in 1928. Competing only in the 5,000m race, he earned another silver medal to become, at age 38, the oldest male speed skater ever to win a medal at the Olympics.