Mirja Jämes

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexFemale
Full nameMirja Leena•Jämes (-Salminen)
Used nameMirja•Jämes
Nick/petnamesMirkku
Born13 October 1924 in Jyväskylä, Keski-Suomi (FIN)
Died20 July 2020 in Espoo, Uusimaa (FIN)
Measurements163 cm / 54 kg
AffiliationsJyväskylän Kisa-Toverit, Jyväskylä (FIN)
NOC Finland

Biography

A pioneer in Finnish women’s track and field athletics, the peak of Mirja Jämes’ career arrived in the aftermath of World War II, when women’s sport was first being taken seriously on the national level. A talented multi-sport athlete, she won a total of 10 national titles between 1945 and 1948 in the 4x100 metres relay, the long jump, the 100 metres, and the 80 metres hurdles. It was in the latter event that she won gold at the International University Championships in 1947, which led to her being selected to represent Finland at the 1948 London Olympics, where she crashed in the opening round and was eliminated. She retired from active competition following the Games.

Personal Best: 80H – 11.8 (1948).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1948 Summer Olympics Athletics FIN Mirja Jämes
80 metres Hurdles, Women (Olympic) 4 h1 r1/3