Mikko Hietanen (September 22, 1911 – February 3, 1999) was a Finnish long-distance runner, European Champion and world record holder, who competed for his native country at the Summer Olympics in London 1948 and in Helsinki 1952.Sports-reference. Mikko Hietanen. Retrieved on 2015-07-27.
Biography Mikko Hietanen was born in Uusikirkko, Karelia, 22 September 1911. He died in Laukaa, Central Finland, 3 February 1999.
Career Hietanen is best known for winning the gold medal in the men's marathon at the 1946 European Championships in Oslo, Norway.
In Oslo 1946, the marathon race took place on 22 August, which was the first day of the championships. At the same time, the final of the 10000 meter race was being held. As Viljo Heino of Finland was running towards victory in the 10000 meters, his fellow countryman Mikko Hietanen entered Bislett Stadium as leader of the marathon. Inside the stadium, the marathon runners were running clockwise to the finish line using the outside lane. It so happened, that Heino and Hietanen met each other on the track as they were both running towards victory.Urheilun historia. Mikko Hietanen – sotaveteraanin voittojuoksu. Retrieved on 2015-07-27.
In the marathon, Mikko Hietanen had the fastest time in the world in 1946, 1947 and 1948.Yearly Ranking Leaders. Marathon. Retrieved on 2015-07-27. During his career, he set six new world records at distances between 15 miles and 30000 meters.World Record Progressions. Track. Retrieved on 2015-07-27.
Mikko Hietanen was not very successful in the Olympic Games. He took part in the marathon in London 1948, but did not finish the race due to promblems with his Achilles tendon. Four years later, on home soil in Helsinki, he finished in 17th place.Sports-reference. Mikko Hietanen. Retrieved on 2015-07-27.
Hietanen became Finnish champion in marathon four years in a row between 1945 and 1948.Mikko Hietasen syntymästä 100 vuotta. Retrieved on 2015-07-27.
Achievements Games Representing 1946European Championships Oslo, Norway 1stMarathon2:24:55Košice Peace Marathon Košice, Czechoslovakia 1stMarathon2:35:021947Boston MarathonBoston, United States 2ndMarathon2:29:391948Olympic GamesLondon, United Kingdom—MarathonDNF1952Olympic GamesHelsinki, Finland17thMarathon2:34:01.0
World records 25,000 m world record with 1:20.58,8 in Vuoksenniska, 17 June 1946 25,000 m world record with 1:20.14,0 in Kokkola, 23 May 1948 30,000 m world record with 1:40.49,8 in Jyväskylä, 28 September 1947 30,000 m world record with 1:40.46,4 in Jyväskylä, 20 June 1948 15 miles world record with 1:17.28,6 in Kokkola, 23 May 1948 20 miles world record with 1:49.20,8 in Jyväskylä, 20 June 1948
References