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Pekka Vasala

Full name: Pekka Antero Vasala
Gender: Male
Height: 6'0" (184 cm)
Weight: 63-65 kg
Born: April 17, 1948 in Riihimäki, Kanta-Häme, Finland
Affiliations: Riihimäen Kisko, Riihimäki (FIN) / Mäntsälän Urheilijat, Mäntsälä (FIN)
Country: FIN Finland
Sport: Athletics

Related Olympians: Son-in-law of Martti Matilainen.

Medals: 1 Gold (1 Total)

Biography

Pekka Vasala was the surprise winner of the 1,500 at the 1972 Olympics. Prior the 1972 Olympics Vasala, who made his international début at the 1968 Olympics, where he was eliminated in his first round heat of the 1,500 metres event, had not won a medal in any major international competition. His Olympic title would remain his only medal of note; at both the 1969 and 1971 European Championships Vasala reached the 1,500 final, but both times finished ninth. Vasala last competed internationally at the 1974 European Championships, where he was sixth in the 1,500. Domestically Vasala won six Finnish titles, at 800 metres in 1970-72 and in the 1,500 metres in 1969-71.

Personal Best: 1500 – 3:36.33 (1972).

Results

Games Age City Sport Event Team NOC Rank Medal
1968 Summer 20 Ciudad de México Athletics Men's 1,500 metres Finland FIN 9 h4 r1/3
1972 Summer 24 München Athletics Men's 1,500 metres Finland FIN 1 Gold

Men's 1,500 metres

Event History
Games Age City Sport Country Phase Unit Rank T(H) T(A)
1968 Summer 20 Ciudad de México Athletics Finland Round One Heat Four 9 4:08.5 4:08.51
1972 Summer 24 München Athletics Finland Final 1 3:36.33
1972 Summer 24 München Athletics Finland Semi-Finals Heat Three 2 QU 3:37.91
1972 Summer 24 München Athletics Finland Round One Heat Six 1 QU 3:40.86