Ilmari Salminen

Ilmari R. Salminen (21 September 1902 – 5 January 1986) was a Finnish long-distance runner, winner of the 10,000 metres at the 1936 Summer Olympics.[1]

Ilmari Salminen

Salminen at the 1936 Olympics
Personal information
Born	21 September 1902 Elimäki, Finland
Died	5 January 1986 (aged 83) Kouvola, Finland
Height	181 cm (5 ft 11 in)
Weight	66 kg (146 lb)
Sport
Sport	Athletics
Event(s)	5000 m, 10000 m
Club	Kouvolan Urheilijat
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)	5000 m – 14:22.0 (1939) 10000 m – 30:05.5 (1937)[1][2]
Medal record Representing  Finland Olympic Games 1936 Berlin 10,000 metres European Championships 1934 Turin 10,000 metres 1938 Paris 10,000 metres 1934 Turin 5000 metres

Salminen became one of the best long-distance runners in the 1930s when he began his international athletics career in 1934 by winning the 10,000 m and taking bronze in 5000 m at the first European Championships in Turin, thus becoming a main favorite at the Olympic 10,000 m run.[1]

At the Berlin Olympics, Salminen, at first took the sixth place at the 5000 m final. On the next day, Salminen won against Arvo Askola and Volmari Iso-Hollo, two other Finns, in the 10,000 m final, winning only by 0.2 seconds.[1]

In the next season, Salminen ran a new 10,000 m world record of 30:05.6. He also ran a new world record in six miles. Salminen finished his international career by winning the gold medal in 10,000 m at the 1938 European Championships and retired from athletics after the next season. He later became a sports official and headed the organizing committee of the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki.[1]