Ville Ritola
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Vilho "Ville" Eino Ritola was a Finnish long-distance runner. Known as one of the "Flying Finns", he won five Olympic gold medals and three Olympic silver medals in the 1920s. He holds the record of w
Ville Ritola at the 1928 Olympics
Ritola leads Paavo Nurmi in the 1928 Olympic 10000 m race.
Lasse Virén
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Lasse Artturi Virén is a Finnish former long-distance runner, winner of four gold medals at the 1972 and 1976 Summer Olympics. Virén recaptured the image of the "Flying Finns" promoted by runners like
Ville Ritola
…A sports hall in Peräseinäjoki was named RitolaHalli. At Ville Ritola's funeral in 1982 the coffin bearers included other Olympic heroes such as Lasse Virén. Kunto-Ritola, annual long-distance event…
Lasse Virén c. 1974
Virén (left) in 1980