Lauri Lehtinen

Lauri Aleksanteri Lehtinen (10 August 1908 – 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 Lehtinen

Lauri Lehtinen in 1931
Personal information
Born	10 August 1908 Kerkkoo, Porvoo, Finland
Died	4 December 1973 (aged 65) Helsinki, Finland
Height	1.74 m (5 ft 9 in)
Weight	64 kg (141 lb)
Sport
Sport	Athletics
Event(s)	1500–10000 m
Club	HT, Helsinki
Achievements and titles
Personal 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  Finland Olympic Games 1932 Los Angeles 5000 m 1936 Berlin 5000 m

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, the Finn 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][3]

At the 1936 Summer Olympics, Lehtinen couldn't defend his title, finishing second after fellow countryman Gunnar Höckert.[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 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."