Olavi Salonen

Olavi Salonen took up track athletics after World War II and garnered international attention in 1957 after he set a world record of 3:40.2 in the 1500 metres alongside Olavi Salsola. The following day, however, Stanislav Jungwirth of Czechoslovakia bettered the record to 3:38.1. Salonen was only at the beginning of his career, however, and won his first of six consecutive Finnish titles in the 800 metres in 1958. He would also win five consecutive 1500 metres championships beginning in 1959, also taking one in 1965. In addition to three consecutive titles in individual cross-country (1960-62), he was a Finnish champion in team events 18 times.

Internationally, Salonen made his major international début at the 1960 Rome Olympics, where he was eliminated in round one of the 1500 metres and was also a reserve in the 4x400 metres relay. Four years later, in Tokyo, he was again eliminated in round one of the 1500 metres. In-between, he just missed the podium in fourth in the 800 metres at the 1962 European Championships. He did not fully retire from active competition until 1970.

Personal Best: 1500 – 3:40.2 (1957).