Ilmari Salminen

Although taking up running only at 27-years-old, Ilmari Salminen was one of the best long distance runners of the 1930s. Salminen began his international athletics career in 1934 by winning the 10,000 and taking bronze in the 5,000 at the first European Championships, thus becoming a main favorite for the 1936 Olympic 10K. At the Berlin Olympics Salminen at first took sixth place in the 5K final, and the next day won over Arvo Askola, another Finn, in the 10K final, by only 0.2 seconds. In 1937 Salminen ran a 10,000 metre world record of 30:05.6 at Kouvola on 18 July. Salminen finished his international career by winning the gold medal in the 10K at the 1938 European Championships. Domestically, Salminen won six Finnish titles, in the 5,000 m in 1932 and 1942 and the 10,000 m in 1934-35, 1937 and 1942. He was later president of the Organizing Committee for the 1952 Summer Olympics.

Personal Bests: 5000 – 14:22.0 (1939); 10000 – 30:05.5 (1937).