Finnish long-distance runner Lasse Virtanen first came to attention when he won the national title in the 5,000 metres in 1930. His performance earned him a place on the Olympic team for the 1932 Los Angeles Games, with him winning bronze in both the 5,000 and 10,000 metres. He also ran in the marathon in Los Angeles, with him leading the race at the 31.5 kilometre mark before retiring from the race a few kilometres later. The following year he won his second national title with victory in the 10,000 metres before finishing fourth in the 5,000 metres at the 1934 European Championships. Virtanen’s brother Eino won bronze in wrestling at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
Personal Bests: 5000 – 14:36.8 (1932); 10000 – 30:30.7 (1933); Mar – 2-48:53 (1935).
Finland