Toivo Loukola
Encyclopedia
Toivo Aarne Loukola (October 2, 1902, Kortesjärvi
– January 10, 1984) was a Finnish
athlete, winner of 3000 m steeplechase at the 1928 Summer Olympics
.
Born in Kortesjärvi
, Toivo Loukola ran a new 3000 m steeplechase unofficial world record
of 9.25.2 just a month before the Olympic Games
.
At Amsterdam
, Loukola first finished seventh in 10 000 m race and then won easily his 3000 m steeplechase heat. In the final the main favourites are the Finns Paavo Nurmi
, Ville Ritola
and Loukola, their leading steeplechase specialist, who had the best hopes for gold, because the firstnamed 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 to the rest of the field, which he would hold until the finish. Loukola won with a new world record
of 9.21.8, finishing almost 10 seconds ahead of second-placed Nurmi.
Kortesjärvi
Kortesjärvi is a former municipality of Finland. It was consolidated, together with Alahärmä and Ylihärmä, to Kauhava on 1 January 2009.It is located in the province of Western Finland and is part of the Southern Ostrobothnia region. The municipality had a population of 2,275 and covered a land...
– January 10, 1984) was a Finnish
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
athlete, winner of 3000 m steeplechase at the 1928 Summer Olympics
1928 Summer Olympics
The 1928 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the IX Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1928 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Amsterdam had bid for the 1920 and 1924 Olympic Games, but had to give way to war-victim Antwerp, Belgium, and Pierre de...
.
Born in Kortesjärvi
Kortesjärvi
Kortesjärvi is a former municipality of Finland. It was consolidated, together with Alahärmä and Ylihärmä, to Kauhava on 1 January 2009.It is located in the province of Western Finland and is part of the Southern Ostrobothnia region. The municipality had a population of 2,275 and covered a land...
, Toivo Loukola ran a new 3000 m steeplechase unofficial world record
World record
A world record is usually the best global performance ever recorded and verified in a specific skill or sport. The book Guinness World Records collates and publishes notable records of all types, from first and best to worst human achievements, to extremes in the natural world and beyond...
of 9.25.2 just a month before the Olympic Games
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
.
At Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
, Loukola first finished seventh in 10 000 m race and then won easily his 3000 m steeplechase heat. In the final the main favourites are the Finns Paavo Nurmi
Paavo Nurmi
Paavo Johannes Nurmi was a Finnish runner. Born in Turku, he was known as one of the "Flying Finns," a term given to him, Hannes Kolehmainen, Ville Ritola, and others for their distinction in running...
, Ville Ritola
Ville Ritola
Vilho Eino Ritola was a Finnish athlete, specialised in the long distance events. In the 1920s, he won 8 Olympic medals...
and Loukola, their leading steeplechase specialist, who had the best hopes for gold, because the firstnamed 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 to the rest of the field, which he would hold until the finish. Loukola won with a new world record
World record
A world record is usually the best global performance ever recorded and verified in a specific skill or sport. The book Guinness World Records collates and publishes notable records of all types, from first and best to worst human achievements, to extremes in the natural world and beyond...
of 9.21.8, finishing almost 10 seconds ahead of second-placed Nurmi.