Hovinen exploded to international attention in the mid-70s and was ranked #1 in the world by Track & Field News in 1975.[1] Resultwise though, his best year by far was 1976, which saw him winning his first Finnish championship and throwing 90 meters or more in seemingly every competition, culminating in his personal best of 93.54 thrown in Helsinki on June 23, 1976. This was very close to the world record, held at the time at 94.08 by Klaus Wolfermann. Hovinen entered the 1976 Summer Olympics as a leading favorite, together with Miklós Németh of Hungary.
1976 Summer Olympicsedit
Hovinen cleared the qualification easily, throwing 89.76 with his first throw. Though Finland has produced no less than seven Olympic gold medalists in the javelin (including Julius Saaristo's gold in the 1912 two hands competition), this still remains the longest throw ever by a Finn at an Olympics. It was also the longest of the qualification, narrowly ahead of Németh.
Next day in the final however, Németh opened with a new world record of 94.58. Hovinen found himself completely unable to respond, and finished a very disappointing seventh with a lackluster mark of 84.26.[2]
1977 doping positive and further careeredit
After winning another Finnish championship in 1977, Hovinen tested positive for anabolic steroids (together with fellow Finns Markku Tuokko and Asko Pesonen) at the 1977 European Cup in Helsinki.[3] He was initially given a lifetime ban by IAAF, but this was reduced on an appeal by the Finnish Athletics Association (SUL) and Hovinen became eligible to compete again on August 13, 1978, just in time to take part in the 1978 European Athletics Championships.[3] He cleared the qualification with his first throw but failed again in the final, taking the middle spot as team Finland swept the last three places.
Hovinen never returned to his 1976 shape, though he won one more Finnish championship in 1981. He is married to Ulla Lundholm, the Finnish record holder in women's discus throw; they are the parents of Niko Hovinen.[4]
^. Track & Field News. Archived from the original on 2010-01-02. Retrieved 2010-01-26.
^. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2020-04-17. Retrieved 2009-11-05.
^ abKaarninen, Pekka (2003). Murheilua eli Suomen sinivalkoiset kyyneleet (in Finnish). WSOY. ISBN951-0-27895-5.
^STT/KSML (2008-09-24). (in Finnish). Archived from the original on 2008-12-11. Retrieved 2009-11-05.
January 01, 1970
seppo, hovinen, seppo, juhani, hovinen, born, february, 1951, virrat, retired, finnish, javelin, thrower, leading, favorite, 1976, montréal, olympics, failed, deliver, finishing, contents, rise, elite, 1976, summer, olympics, 1977, doping, positive, further, c. Seppo Juhani Hovinen born February 4 1951 in Virrat is a retired Finnish javelin thrower A leading favorite in the 1976 Montreal Olympics he failed to deliver finishing 7th Contents 1 Rise to elite 2 1976 Summer Olympics 3 1977 doping positive and further career 4 See also 5 ReferencesRise to elite editHovinen exploded to international attention in the mid 70s and was ranked 1 in the world by Track amp Field News in 1975 1 Resultwise though his best year by far was 1976 which saw him winning his first Finnish championship and throwing 90 meters or more in seemingly every competition culminating in his personal best of 93 54 thrown in Helsinki on June 23 1976 This was very close to the world record held at the time at 94 08 by Klaus Wolfermann Hovinen entered the 1976 Summer Olympics as a leading favorite together with Miklos Nemeth of Hungary 1976 Summer Olympics editHovinen cleared the qualification easily throwing 89 76 with his first throw Though Finland has produced no less than seven Olympic gold medalists in the javelin including Julius Saaristo s gold in the 1912 two hands competition this still remains the longest throw ever by a Finn at an Olympics It was also the longest of the qualification narrowly ahead of Nemeth Next day in the final however Nemeth opened with a new world record of 94 58 Hovinen found himself completely unable to respond and finished a very disappointing seventh with a lackluster mark of 84 26 2 1977 doping positive and further career editAfter winning another Finnish championship in 1977 Hovinen tested positive for anabolic steroids together with fellow Finns Markku Tuokko and Asko Pesonen at the 1977 European Cup in Helsinki 3 He was initially given a lifetime ban by IAAF but this was reduced on an appeal by the Finnish Athletics Association SUL and Hovinen became eligible to compete again on August 13 1978 just in time to take part in the 1978 European Athletics Championships 3 He cleared the qualification with his first throw but failed again in the final taking the middle spot as team Finland swept the last three places Hovinen never returned to his 1976 shape though he won one more Finnish championship in 1981 He is married to Ulla Lundholm the Finnish record holder in women s discus throw they are the parents of Niko Hovinen 4 See also editList of sportspeople sanctioned for doping offencesReferences edit Track and Field News Archive Men s Rankings 1947 2002 Track amp Field News Archived from the original on 2010 01 02 Retrieved 2010 01 26 Athletics at the 1976 Montreal Summer Games Men s Javelin Throw Final Round Sports Reference LLC Archived from the original on 2020 04 17 Retrieved 2009 11 05 a b Kaarninen Pekka 2003 Murheilua eli Suomen sinivalkoiset kyyneleet in Finnish WSOY ISBN 951 0 27895 5 STT KSML 2008 09 24 Hovisen perhe taynna huippu urheilijoita Kiekkouutiset JYP SM liiga ja NHL Kiekko Keskisuomalainen in Finnish Archived from the original on 2008 12 11 Retrieved 2009 11 05 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Seppo Hovinen amp oldid 1203574260, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
