Famous Finnish Athletes

Paavo Nurmi was a Finnish athlete who specialized in long-distance and middle-distance running. Nicknamed the Flying Finn, Nurmi dominated important distance running events in the early 20th century. He won nine gold medals and three silver medals across three Olympics in 1920, 1924, and 1928. Paavo Nurmi also set 22 official world records during his career.

Teemu Selänne is a Finnish retired ice hockey player who played as a winger. Dubbed the Finnish Flash, Teemu is the highest scoring player from Finland in the history of the National Hockey League (NHL). In 2017, he became only the second Finn after Jari Kurri to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Lasse Virén is a Finnish retired athlete who specialized in long-distance running. He is best known for his performance in the 1972 and 1976 Olympic Games, where he won two gold medals at each Games. Lasse Virén is also known for winning a bronze medal at the 1974 European Championships in Rome.

Legendary Finnish track and field athlete Hannes Kolehmainen was one of the Flying Finns and had won 4 Olympic gold medals and a silver. Known for undergoing rigorous training sessions, he also maintained a vegetarian diet. Though a bricklayer by profession, he had a sports-loving family and 2 brothers who were long-distance runners.

Starting her career as a cross-country skier, Finnish athlete Kaisa Makarainen stepped into biathlon at age 20. Apart from being a 3-time Olympian, she has also been a World Champion and a 3-time World Cup winner. She is known for her speed in both shooting and skiing.

Ville Ritola was a Finnish athlete who specialized in long-distance running. He is best remembered for winning five Olympic gold medals, four of which were won at the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris. Ville Ritola also won two silver medals at the 1924 Games, a record for the most number of athletics medals won at a single Olympic event.

Sari Essayah is a Finnish former athlete who specialized in race walking. A former European champion and world champion in the 10,000 metres event, Essayah created seven national records during her athletic career. After retiring from sports, Sari Essayah became a politician and is currently serving as the president of the Christian Democrats party.

Manuela Bosco is a Finnish actress and retired athlete who specialized in hurdling. As a hurdler, she is best known for representing Finland at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. As an actress, Manuela Bosco is best known for her portrayal of Nadia Rapaccini in the popular TV series Nymphs.

Volmari Iso-Hollo was a Finnish runner who specialized in steeplechase. He is best remembered for winning the gold medal in the 3000 m steeplechase event at the 1932 and 1936 Olympic Games. Volmari Iso-Hollo also competed in the 10000 m event and won the silver medal and the bronze medal at the 1932 and 1936 Olympics respectively.

Viljo Heino was a Finnish athlete who specialized in long-distance running. He took part in the marathon and 10,000 metres events in the 1948 Olympic Games in London. He is perhaps best remembered as a world record holder in the 10,000 metres event between 1944 and 1949. In 1949, Viljo Heino was named Finnish Sportspersonality of the Year.