Hannes Kolehmainen

Runner

Birthday December 9, 1889

Birth Sign Sagittarius

Birthplace Kuopio, Finland

DEATH DATE Jan 11, 1966 (76)

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About

Finnish long-distance runner who won four Olympic gold medals, three in 1912 in Stockholm and one in 1920 in Antwerp.

Before Fame

He was a bricklayer before becoming an Olympic champion.

Trivia

He became a US citizen in 1921 when he also enlisted in the 14th Regiment of the National Guard of New York.

Family Life

His brothers Willy and Tatu were also runners.

Associated With

He won three golds in the 1912 Olympics when the legendary Jim Thorpe won both the pentathlon and decathlon.