Matti_Järvinen
Matti Järvinen
Finnish javelin thrower
Matti Henrikki Järvinen (18 February 1909 – 22 July 1985) was a Finnish javelin thrower. He won the Olympic gold medal at the 1932 Summer Olympics ahead of two other Finns, Matti Sippala and Eino Penttilä, with a throw of 72.71 metres.[1] Four of his other five throws would also have been enough to take gold.[1] The three Finns did not take off their tracksuit trousers during the event.[2]
Besides his Olympic gold, Järvinen is remembered for his numerous world records. From 1930 to 1936, he broke the javelin throw world record a record ten times in a row.[1] He also became the European champion in 1934, setting a new world record with 76.66 m, and defended his title successfully in 1938.[1] In the 1936 Summer Olympics, Järvinen finished fifth.[1] Järvinen continued throwing after World War II, recording a 71.70-metre throw in 1945.[1]
Järvinen was the son of Verner Järvinen, an Olympic bronze medalist in discus throw. His brother Akilles Järvinen was a decathlon world record holder and two-time Olympic silver medalist. His other brother Kalle was a shot putter and also an Olympian.[1][3]
The exact distance of his gold-winning throw, 72.71 metres, was used as the height of the Helsinki Olympic Stadium in commemoration of his achievement.