Samppa Lajunen

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameSamppa Kalevi•Lajunen
Used nameSamppa•Lajunen
Born23 April 1979 in Turku, Varsinais-Suomi (FIN)
Measurements177 cm / 65 kg
AffiliationsJyväskylän Hiihtoseura, Jyväskylä (FIN)
NOC Finland
Medals OG
Gold 3
Silver 2
Bronze 0
Total 5

Biography

Samppa Lajunen was only 17 years old when he won the Nordic combined World Cup title in 1997. Over the next few years, he finished second frequently, earning silvers in the 1998 Nordic combined individual, the 1998 World Junior Championship, the 1999 World Championships, and in both the standard and sprint races at the 2001 World Championships. He again won the World Cup in 1999-2000, and going into the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics, he had posted 14 World Cup victories. Lajunen finally overcome his aversion to the top step of the podium at Salt Lake City when he won gold medals in all three Nordic combined events – sprint, standard, and relay.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1998 Winter Olympics Nordic Combined (Skiing) FIN Samppa Lajunen
Team, Men (Olympic) Finland 2 Silver
Individual, Men (Olympic) 2 Silver
2002 Winter Olympics Nordic Combined (Skiing) FIN Samppa Lajunen
Team, Men (Olympic) Finland 1 Gold
Individual, Men (Olympic) 1 Gold
Sprint, Men (Olympic) 1 Gold

Special Notes