Toivo Aarne Loukola (2 October 1902 – 10 January 1984) was a

Finnish Finnish may refer to: * Something or someone from, or related to Finland * Culture of Finland * Finnish people or Finns, the primary ethnic group in Finland * Finnish language, the national language of the Finnish people * Finnish cuisine See also ...

male runner, winner of the

3000 metres steeplechase The 3000 metres steeplechase or 3000-meter steeplechase (usually abbreviated as ) is the most common distance for the steeplechase in track and field Track and field is a sport that includes athletic contests based on running, jumping, a ...

at the

1928 Amsterdam Olympics The 1928 Summer Olympics ( nl, Olympische Zomerspelen 1928), officially known as the Games of the IX Olympiad ( nl, Spelen van de IXe Olympiade) and commonly known as Amsterdam 1928, was an international multi-sport event that was celebrated from ...

. Loukola set an unofficial world record in the steeplechase just a month before the Olympics. In Amsterdam, Loukola first finished seventh in the 10,000 m race and then easily won his 3000 m steeplechase heat. In the final the main favourites were the Finns

Paavo Nurmi Paavo Johannes Nurmi (; 13 June 1897 – 2 October 1973) was a Finnish middle-distance and long-distance runner. He was called the "Flying Finn" or the "Phantom Finn", as he dominated distance running in the 1920s. Nurmi set 22 official world r ...

Ville Ritola Vilho "Ville" Eino Ritola (18 January 1896 – 24 April 1982) 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 winning ...

and Loukola, but Nurmi and Ritola were worn by their injuries and the gruelling 5000 m race of the previous day. Although Ritola gave up soon, the Finns were still going to the first three places. After 2000 m, when Nurmi had trouble at hurdles, Loukola made an attack and developed a 30 m gap, which he would hold until the finish. Loukola won in a new world record of 9.21.8, finishing almost 10 seconds ahead of second-placed Nurmi. Loukola also won 11 national titles, in the 5,000 m (1928–29), 10,000 m (1928–29, 1932 and 1936) and steeplechase (1928–32). He was a policeman by profession.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Loukola, Toivo 1902 births 1984 deaths People from Kauhava Finnish male long-distance runners Finnish male middle-distance runners Olympic athletes of Finland Athletes (track and field) at the 1928 Summer Olympics Finnish male steeplechase runners Medalists at the 1928 Summer Olympics Olympic gold medalists for Finland Olympic gold medalists in athletics (track and field) Sportspeople from South Ostrobothnia