Eero Kolehmainen

Although known as a long-distance skier, Eero Kolehmainen’s first biggest accomplishment was an 18 km victory at Holmenkollen in 1950. At the 1952 Olympic Winter Games he won a silver in the 50 km, behind the great Veikko Hakulinen, in his only start at that Olympics. At the 1954 World Championships Kolehmainen again started only in the 50 km and was 11th. At the 1956 Winter Olympics he placed fourth at 50 km, while at the 1958 World Championships he was fifth in the 50 km. Kolehmainen also won the 50 km at the Lahti Ski Games in 1956 and 1957 and in 1959 won his only Finnish Championship, again over 50 km. By profession Kolehmainen was a farmer.