Hannes K?lehmainen
(IOC)
Updated: 2007-07-26 21:22
Antwerp 1920, Games of the VII Olympiad. Men's marathon: Estonian Juri LOSSMANN, 2nd, and winner Hannes KOLEHMAINEN of Finland are surrounded by the crowd at the end of the event. Credit: IOC Olympic Museum Collections
Other names: KOLEHMAINEN, Johannes Pietari
Born: 9 December 1889
Deceased: 11 January 1966
Birthplace: Kuopio (Finland)
Nationality: Finland
Sport: Athletics
ATTENDANCE AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES
Stockholm 1912
Antwerp 1920
AWARDS
Olympic medals:
Gold: 4
Silver: 1
Finland's Distance Pioneer
Hannes K?lehmainen was the first of the great Finnish distance runners. At the 1912 Olympics, he won the 5,000m with a new world record, the 10,000m and the individual cross-country race, in which he also won a silver medal in the team event. In his 5,000m victory he broke the world record and was the first person to run the distance under 15 minutes. He also set a world record for 3,000m in a heat of the team event. The cancellation of the 1916 Games undoubtedly prevented K?lehmainen from winning more Olympic honors at track events. However, he turned to the roads, having run his first marathon in 1907. K?lehmainen finished 4th in the 1917 Boston Marathon, and in 1920 at Antwerp, he won the gold medal in the marathon. He later set world records over both 25km and 30km. At the 1952 Helsinki Olympic Games, K?lehmainen was chosen to light the Olympic Torch at the Opening Ceremony, after receiving the Olympic Flame from
Paavo Nurmi, who carried the flame into the stadium.
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