Tapani Ilkka

Tapani Ilkka was a Finnish track and field athlete, coach, and sports administrator. As an athlete Ilkka competed in the 400 metres hurdles in the 1960s before becoming a coach. Under his tutelage he helped Riitta Salin win gold in the 400 metres at the 1974 European Athletics Championships in Roma. He then went on to hold several high-level posts including the chair of the Finnish Sports Confederation from 1983 until 1990, and the President of the National Olympic Committee of Finland from 1988 to 2004. During this time he served as the head of the organising committee for the 1994 European Athletics Championships in Helsinki. In recognition for his work Ilkka was bestowed with the Grand Cross of Merit for Finnish Physical Education and Sports in 2001, the Olympic Order in Silver in 2004, and a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Finnish Sports Gala in 2021.