Lauri Aleksanteri Lehtinen (10 August 1908[3] – 4 December 1973) was a Finnish long-distance runner, winner of a controversial 5000 m race at the 1932 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
Lehtinen ran a new world record in 5000 m (14:17.0) just a month prior to the Olympics, thus becoming a main favourite to the Olympic 5000 m title. In the final, the Finns Lehtinen and Lauri Virtanen led early. They managed to shake off all other competitors except Ralph Hill from the United States. Soon the race turned into a battle between Lehtinen and Hill. On the last lap, Hill tried to overtake Lehtinen. Seeing this, Lehtinen blocked his way, zig-zagging from one lane to the other to the great exasperation of the crowd. At the finish, Lehtinen crossed first a mere 50 centimetres ahead. Although this was a common tactic in Europe, the American audience was unaccustomed to it, so they booed. Hill declined to file a protest. They both recorded an identical time of 14:30.0. This was the only Olympic race longer than 200 metres in which the top two finishers recorded identical times.[1][4]
In 1940, Lehtinen donated his Los Angeles gold medal to a soldier who had served with distinction on the Karelian Isthmus. Lehtinen's gesture was a mark of respect for Höckert, who was killed in action on the Isthmus.[1]
In Kerkkoo village in Porvoo, there is a road named after him, "Lauri Lehtisen Tie."
lauri, lehtinen, finnish, sports, sailor, sailor, finnish, footballer, footballer, lauri, aleksanteri, lehtinen, august, 1908, december, 1973, finnish, long, distance, runner, winner, controversial, 5000, race, 1932, summer, olympics, angeles, 1931personal, in. For the Finnish sports sailor see Lauri Lehtinen sailor For the Finnish footballer see Lauri Lehtinen footballer Lauri Aleksanteri Lehtinen 10 August 1908 3 4 December 1973 was a Finnish long distance runner winner of a controversial 5000 m race at the 1932 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles Lauri LehtinenLauri Lehtinen in 1931Personal informationBorn10 August 1908Kerkkoo Porvoo FinlandDied4 December 1973 aged 65 Helsinki FinlandHeight1 74 m 5 ft 9 in Weight64 kg 141 lb SportSportAthleticsEvent s 1500 10000 mClubHT HelsinkiAchievements and titlesPersonal best s 1500 m 3 55 5 1931 5000 m 14 16 9 1932 10000 m 30 15 0 1937 1 2 Medal record Representing FinlandOlympic Games1932 Los Angeles 5000 m1936 Berlin 5000 mLehtinen ran a new world record in 5000 m 14 17 0 just a month prior to the Olympics thus becoming a main favourite to the Olympic 5000 m title In the final the Finns Lehtinen and Lauri Virtanen led early They managed to shake off all other competitors except Ralph Hill from the United States Soon the race turned into a battle between Lehtinen and Hill On the last lap Hill tried to overtake Lehtinen Seeing this Lehtinen blocked his way zig zagging from one lane to the other to the great exasperation of the crowd At the finish Lehtinen crossed first a mere 50 centimetres ahead Although this was a common tactic in Europe the American audience was unaccustomed to it so they booed Hill declined to file a protest They both recorded an identical time of 14 30 0 This was the only Olympic race longer than 200 metres in which the top two finishers recorded identical times 1 4 At the 1936 Summer Olympics Lehtinen defended his title but finished second after his fellow countryman Gunnar Hockert 1 In 1940 Lehtinen donated his Los Angeles gold medal to a soldier who had served with distinction on the Karelian Isthmus Lehtinen s gesture was a mark of respect for Hockert who was killed in action on the Isthmus 1 In Kerkkoo village in Porvoo there is a road named after him Lauri Lehtisen Tie References Edit a b c d Lauri Lehtinen sports reference com Lauri Lehtinen trackfield brinkster net Martti Jukola 1932 Athletics in Finland W Soderstrom osakeyhtio Porvoo p 71 Athletics at the 1932 Los Angeles Summer Games Men s 5 000 metres sports reference comExternal links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lauri Lehtinen Lauri Lehtinen at Olympics comLauri Lehtinen at Olympic org archived Lauri Lehtinen at Olympedia Lauri Lehtinen at World AthleticsRecordsPreceded by Paavo Nurmi Men s 5000 m World Record Holder19 June 1932 16 June 1939 Succeeded by Taisto Maki Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Lauri Lehtinen amp oldid 1146188574, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
