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 Kölehmainen 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 Kölehmainen from winning more Olympic honors at track events. However, he turned to the roads, having run his first marathon in 1907. Kölehmainen 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, Kölehmainen 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.