Veikko Salminen’s biggest accomplishment as a modern pentathlete was probably winning a surprising bronze medal in the team event at the 1972 Olympics. Besides his Olympic appearance, Salminen also competed at the 1970-71, and 1977-78 World Championships, but did not medal in those competitions, his best individual place being 24th in 1971.
Domestically Salminen won three Finnish titles in modern pentathlon (1971, 1974 and 1978), while taking silvers in 1970, 1972, 1975 and 1977 and bronze in 1976. Salminen was also a three-time Finnish champion in team épée (1968, 1970, 1972) and a five-time Finnish Champion in 4x200 freestyle relay swimming (1963-1967). By profession, Salminen was a firefighter.
Finland