Ilmari Salminen

Ilmari R. Salminen (21 September 1902 – 5 January 1986) was a Finnish long-distance runner, winner of the 10,000 metres at the 1936 Summer Olympics.[1]

Ilmari Salminen
Salminen at the 1936 Olympics
Personal information
Born21 September 1902
Elimäki, Finland, Russian Empire
Died5 January 1986 (aged 83)
Kouvola, Finland
Height181 cm (5 ft 11 in)
Weight66 kg (146 lb)
Sport
SportAthletics
Event(s)5000 m, 10000 m
ClubKouvolan Urheilijat
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)5000 m – 14:22.0 (1939)
10000 m – 30:05.5 (1937)[1][2]

Salminen became one of the best long-distance runners in the 1930s when he began his international athletics career in 1934 by winning the 10,000 m and taking bronze in 5000 m at the first European Championships in Turin, thus becoming a main favorite at the Olympic 10,000 m run.[1]

At the Berlin Olympics, Salminen, at first took the sixth place at the 5000 m final. On the next day, Salminen won against Arvo Askola and Volmari Iso-Hollo, two other Finns, in the 10,000 m final, winning only by 0.2 seconds.[1]

In the next season, Salminen ran a new 10,000 m world record of 30:05.6. He also ran a new world record in six miles. Salminen finished his international career by winning the gold medal in 10,000 m at the 1938 European Championships and retired from athletics after the next season. He later became a sports official and headed the organizing committee of the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki.[1]

References

  1. Ilmari Salminen Archived 11 October 2009 at the Wayback Machine. sports-reference.com
  2. Ilmari Salminen. trackfield.brinkster.net
Records
Preceded by
Paavo Nurmi
Men's 10,000 m World Record Holder
18 July 1937 – 29 September 1938
Succeeded by
Taisto Mäki
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