Klaus Suomela

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameKlaus Uuno•Suomela (Lindholm-)
Used nameKlaus•Suomela
Born10 November 1888 in Porvoo, Uusimaa (FIN)
Died4 April 1962 in Helsinki, Uusimaa (FIN)
NOC Finland
Medals OG
Gold 0
Silver 1
Bronze 0
Total 1

Biography

Klaus Suomela was an influential professor at the University of Helsinki, where he was the head teacher for dramatic arts. Suomela was Junior lecturer at the University of Helsinki from 1918-31, an educational gymnastics teacher from 1915-29, and finally in 1931-55 was the head Finnish teacher of acting. He later became Assistant Headteacher from 1946-55, served as Deputy Director at the University in the Gymnastics Department in 1946-55, and was its Director from 1951-53.

Suomela worked as a writer, gymnastics and sport teacher, Doctor of Philosophy, and sports journalist. In 1912 he won a gymnastics silver medal in the team, free system event. He also competed in the 1924 Olympic Arts Competitions with his work Milon in the category Literature. Under the title Milo, Olympian sankari (Milon, the Olympic Hero), the drama was first performed in the Finnish National Theater in 1924. In 1936, a novel version was published as Stadionin ihme (The miracle in the stadium). As early as in 1920 Suomela had published a popular collection of poems titled Olympia. Having been appreciated neither as a writer nor as a member of the nationalist White Guards, he made a complete turn after World War II and became a pro-Soviet communist. His sons Päivö and Launo became authors as well.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1912 Summer Olympics Artistic Gymnastics (Gymnastics) FIN Klaus Suomela
Team All-Around, Free System, Men (Olympic) Finland 2 Silver
1924 Summer Olympics Art Competitions FIN Klaus Suomela
Literature, Open (Olympic) AC