Toimi Pitkänen is considered as one of the most successful Finnish rowers of all time, after the renowed Pertti Karppinen. With Veli Lehtelä, Pitkänen formed a highly successful duo that won two Olympic bronzes (1956 coxed fours, 1960 coxless pairs), two European titles (1956 coxed fours, 1958 coxless pairs) and two European Championships silvers (1955 / 1961 coxless pairs). They also won the coxless pairs event, the Silver Goblets & Nickalls’ Challenge Cup, at the 1961 Henley Royal Regatta, and as of 2017, are the only Finns to win any event at Henley. Domestically Pitkänen won 29 Finnish titles. He was also an accomplished cross-country skier, who won silver in the 50 km at the 1956 Finnish Championships. Outside of sports, Pitkänen worked his whole career at the Säteri synthetic fiber factory, first as a warehouse worker, car driver and mechanic, and later with the factory’s human resources department.
Finland