Contents

Matti Järvinen

Matti Järvinen

Matti Järvinen at the 1932 Olympics
Personal information
Born	18 February 1909 Tampere, Finland
Died	22 July 1985 (aged 76) Helsinki, Finland
Height	1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Weight	76 kg (168 lb)
Sport
Sport	Javelin throw
Club	Kerkkoon Nuorisoseuran Urheilijat Helsingin Kisa-Veikot
Medal record Representing  Finland Olympic Games 1932 Los Angeles Javelin throw European Championships 1934 Turin Javelin throw 1938 Paris Javelin throw

Matti Henrikki Järvinen (18 February 1909 – 22 July 1985) was a Finnish javelin thrower. He won the Olympic gold medal at the 1932 Summer Olympics ahead of two other Finns, Matti Sippala and Eino Penttilä, with a throw of 72.71 metres.^[1] Four of his other five throws would also have been enough to take gold.^[1] The three Finns did not take off their tracksuit trousers during the event.^[2]

Besides his Olympic gold, Järvinen is remembered for his numerous world records. From 1930 to 1936, he broke the javelin throw world record a record ten times in a row.^[1] He also became the European champion in 1934, setting a new world record with 76.66 m, and defended his title successfully in 1938.^[1] In the 1936 Summer Olympics, Järvinen finished fifth.^[1] Järvinen continued throwing after World War II, recording a 71.70-metre throw in 1945.^[1]

Järvinen was the son of Verner Järvinen, an Olympic bronze medalist in discus throw. His brother Akilles Järvinen was a decathlon world record holder and two-time Olympic silver medalist. His other brother Kalle was a shot putter and also an Olympian.^[1][3]

The exact distance of his gold-winning throw, 72.71 metres, was used as the height of the Helsinki Olympic Stadium in commemoration of his achievement.

World War II and after[edit]

In 1939 Järvinen, with his fellow javelin thrower Yrjö Nikkanen, served together on the Karelian Isthmus, where they trained soldiers in throwing hand grenades.^[4] After the War he became a noted economic councillor.

World records[edit]

References[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Matti Järvinen.

This biographical article relating to Finnish athletics is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.