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]

Quick Facts Personal information, Born ...

Hannes Kolehmainen

Hannes Kolehmainen in 1920
Personal information
Born	9 December 1889 Kuopio, Finland
Died	11 January 1966 (aged 76) Helsinki, Finland
Height	1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)
Weight	57 kg (126 lb)
Sport
Sport	Running
Club	Helsingin Jyry FAAC, New York
Medal record Representing Finland Olympic Games 1912 Stockholm 5000 metres 1912 Stockholm 10000 metres 1912 Stockholm Individual cross country 1920 Antwerp Marathon 1912 Stockholm Team cross country

Close

Kolehmainen, a devoted vegetarian^[2] and bricklayer by trade,^[3] was from a sportive family from Kuopio – his brothers William and Tatu were also strong long-distance runners. Tatu competed in two Olympics and finished 10th in the Marathon in 1920. Hannes was one of the stars of the 1912 Summer Olympics in Stockholm, winning three gold medals. His most memorable was the one in the 5000 m. In that event, he ran a heroic duel with Frenchman Jean Bouin. After leading the field together for most of the race, Bouin was only defeated by Kolehmainen in the final metres, in world record time. In addition, Kolehmainen won the 10,000 m and the now-discontinued cross country event. With the Finnish team, he also obtained a silver place in the cross country team event.^[4]

Kolehmainen's sportive career was interrupted by the First World War, but he remained an athlete to be reckoned with, although his specialty had now shifted to the longer distances, especially the marathon. At the first post-war Olympics in Antwerp, he won the gold medal in this event. He would also enter the Olympic marathon in 1924, but did not complete that race.^[4]

By then, Kolehmainen had found a worthy successor in Paavo Nurmi. Together with Nurmi, as the final link in the torch relay, he lit the Olympic Flame at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki. He died in that same city, fourteen years later.^[4]