Mauri Röppänen

Although Mauri Röppänen won his only Olympic medal in biathlon, he was better known as one of the best Finnish sport shooters of the 1980s. In biathlon Röppänen won a bronze in the relay at the 1969 World Championships and a silver in the relay at the 1972 Olympics. His best individual finish at a major biathlon tournament was eighth in the 20 km at the 1971 World Championships. In 1971 Röppänen also won his only Finnish title in biathlon over 20 km.

As a shooter Röppänen participated at the 1980 and 1984 Olympics, with his best finish fourth in small-bore rifle, three positions in 1980. Röppänen’s most successful international tournament as a shooter was the 1986 World Championships, where he won five medals – gold in standard rifle, three positions team event; two silvers in free rifle, kneeling individual, and prone team event; and two bronzes in free rifle, three positions, and standard rifle, three positions individual events.

At the European Championships Röppänen won two individual titles and two team titles, one individual and four team silvers and three individual and team bronzes. He was also Finnish champion in mooseskiing five times in a row from 1972-76. By profession, Röppänen was a border guard.