Olavi Salsola

Olavi Salsola
Olavi Salsola (right, with #12)
Personal information
Full nameOlavi Armas Tapani Salsola
NationalityFinnish
Born(1933-12-26)December 26, 1933
Keuruu, Finland
Died8 October 1995(1995-10-08) (aged 61)
Rauma, Finland
Height1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Weight65 kg (143 lb)
Sport
Country Finland
SportAthletics
EventMiddle distance running
ClubTurun Urheiluliitto
Achievements and titles
Personal best
  • 1500 m: 3:40.2 (1957)

Olavi Salsola (26 December 1933 in Keuruu – 8 October 1995 in Rauma) was a Finnish male middle distance runner.

Biography

In a fantastic evening of 1957, in the Finnish city of Turku, there was an extraordinary event (but also a strange coincidence), for the sport of athletics. Three Finnish athletes have gone under the previous world record of 1500 meters, all three were called by first name Olavi and all three were born in 1933.[1] For this reason, the three athletes are today remembered as "the three Olavis".[2]

World record

Olympic results

Year Competition Venue Position Event Time Notes
1956 Olympic Games Australia Melbourne Heat 1500 metres 3:55.00

See also

References

  1. ^ "'NURMI ON NURMI' – SON OF 'FLYING FINN' LEGEND SPEAKS ABOUT HIS FATHER". iaaf.org. 13 August 2005. Retrieved 9 January 2013. On July 11, 1957, in his home town, three of his countrymen dipped under the world 1500 metres record (Olavi Salsola and Olavi Salonen both clocked 3:40.2 and Olavi Vuorisalo ran 3:40.3).
  2. ^ "Under old WR without winning". trackandfieldnews.com. 13 August 2005. Retrieved 9 January 2013. One of the most famous is the famous night of the three Olavis: Turku, Finland; July 11, 1957.
Records
Preceded by Men's 1500 m World Record Holder
11 July 1957 – 12 July 1957 		Succeeded by