FinlandBiography
One of the Finland's golden distance generation era members, Olympic champion and world record holder. He won six medals in Paris 1924 Olympics, four of them was gold. He contested eight race for eight days in Paris.
He emirated United States in 1913. Started athletics in 1919 with guidance of Hannes Kolehmainen, 1912 Olympic champion. Refused to join 1920 Finnish Olympic team as saying 'not ready yet'. Three years later, Finnish community in United States campaigned for him to sending Olympics. Ritola arrived to Paris and leave an unforgettable mark there.
Back to Olympic scene four years later in Amsterdam, secured his fifth Olympic gold in 5000 metres by defeating legendary Paavo Nurmi who passed him five days earlier in 10,000 metres.
Ritola had contested in United States Amateur Track and Field Championships during 1920s and won four titles. He came second in 1922 Boston Marathon as well. Vitola broke 10,000m world record twice, both in 1924.
Retired after 1928 Amsterdam and back to United States for work. Remained in US and optained citizenship, but back to homeland later of his life and died in Helsinki at age of 86.
PERSONAL BEST
3000m: 8:26.8 (1925)
5000m indoor: 14:23.2 (New York 1925)
10,000m: 30:19.4 (Amsterdam 1928)
3000SC: 9:18.6 (1924)
TRIVIA
♦ His village in Seinjaoki was in part of Russian Empire at the time of his birth.
♦ Born in very large and poor family with 19 children.
♦ Worked as a construction worker in United States.
Text by Athleticspodium.com