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]
Medal record
Representing  Finland
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 1936 Berlin 10,000 metres
European Championships
Gold medal – first place 1934 Turin 10,000 metres
Gold medal – first place 1938 Paris 10,000 metres
Bronze medal – third place 1934 Turin 5000 metres

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]

On the first day of competitions in the Berlin Olympics, Salminen won the 10,000 m final before compatriots Arvo Askola and Volmari Iso-Hollo. Salminen managed to hold off Askola by a margin of 0.2 seconds.[1] In the 5000 m final a few days later, Salminen finished in sixth place.

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

edit
  1. ^ a b c d e Ilmari Salminen Archived 11 October 2009 at the Wayback Machine. sports-reference.com
  2. ^ Ilmari Salminen. trackfield.brinkster.net
Records
Preceded by Men's 10,000 m World Record Holder
18 July 1937 – 29 September 1938
Succeeded by