Toivo Loukola
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| Olympic medal record | |||
| Men's athletics | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | 1928 Amsterdam | 3000m steeplechase | |
Toivo Aarne Loukola (born October 2, 1902 — died 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.
| Olympic champions in men's 3000 m steeplechase |
|---|
| 1900 (2500 m): George Orton | 1900 (4000 m): John Rimmer | 1904 (2590 m): Jim Lightbody | 1908 (3200 m): Arthur Russell | 1920: Percy Hodge | 1924: Ville Ritola | 1928: Toivo Loukola | 1932: Volmari Iso-Hollo | 1936: Volmari Iso-Hollo | 1948: Tore Sjöstrand | 1952: Horace Ashenfelter | 1956: Chris Brasher | 1960: Zdzisław Krzyszkowiak | 1964: Gaston Roelants | 1968: Amos Biwott | 1972: Kip Keino | 1976: Anders Gärderud | 1980: Bronisław Malinowski | 1984: Julius Korir | 1988: Julius Kariuki | 1992: Matthew Birir | 1996: Joseph Keter | 2000: Reuben Kosgei | 2004: Ezekiel Kemboi |
