Veli Lehtelä

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameVeli Veikko Valtteri•Lehtelä
Used nameVeli•Lehtelä
Nick/petnamesVesse
Born6 September 1935 in Sääksmäki, Valkeakoski, Pirkanmaa (FIN)
Died3 June 2020 in Valkeakoski, Pirkanmaa (FIN)
Measurements183 cm / 74-76 kg
NOC Finland
Medals OG
Gold 0
Silver 0
Bronze 2
Total 2

Biography

Veli Lehtelä competed at three Olympic Games, winning bronze medals in the four in 1956 and the pair in 1960. He was best known for his partnership in the pair with Toimi Pitkänen. Together they won a silver medal in the pair at the 1955 European Championships, but they improved to gold medals at the Europeans in 1956 and 1958, in addition to their 1960 bronze medal.

Lehtelä only started rowing at age 18, as he first skied, wrestled, and played football. His son, Jorma Lehtelä also became a rower, competing at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1956 Summer Olympics Rowing FIN Veli Lehtelä
Coxless Fours, Men (Olympic) Finland 2 h2 r2/4
Coxed Fours, Men (Olympic) Finland 3 Bronze
1960 Summer Olympics Rowing FIN Veli Lehtelä
Coxless Pairs, Men (Olympic) Toimi Pitkänen 3 Bronze
1964 Summer Olympics Rowing FIN Veli Lehtelä
Coxless Pairs, Men (Olympic) Toimi Pitkänen 6

Olympic family relations