Lasse Virén

Leave Virén on its reception in celebration Myrskylä 1976

Leave Artturi Virén ( born July 22, 1949 in Myrskylä ) is a former Finnish athlete. He specializes in long-distance running and is a four -time Olympic champion.

Career

Virén was the outstanding long-distance runner of the 1970s. At the Olympic Games in Munich in 1972 and 1976 in Montréal, he managed the so-called double and each won over 5000 and 10,000 meters gold medal. His dominance in international competitions of the 1970s are comparable to the performances of Haile Gebrselassie in the late 1990s and at the beginning of the new millennium. Virén continued the tradition of the " Flying Finn " continue, founded by runners like Hannes Kolehmainen, Paavo Nurmi, and Ville Ritola.

Virén was a police officer in his hometown Myrskylä and was first known at the European Championships 1971 in Helsinki to a broad public, but remained at that time still in the shadow of his compatriot Juha Väätäinen, who won the races over 5000 and 10,000 meters. At the Olympic Games in Munich in 1972, he was the fourth runner who won both 5000 and 10,000 meters. Before him, it had managed only Paavo Nurmi, Emil Zatopek and Volodymyr Kuz. Legendary is his victory in the 10,000 meters when he won despite a crash with a world record time. At the European Championships 1974 in Rome, he won the bronze medal over 5000 meters.

At the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal, he repeated his success and won over both long distances. His victories were not without controversy: In the lap of honor after the 10,000 - meter race Virén wore his shoes in his hand. The IOC imputed to him evil intent, and thought the logo was visible for all (at that time was still banned sponsorship ). Virén replied that he had a blister on his foot.

In addition, he was accused, he had increased his power with the then permitted blood doping. In this case blood is frozen and later administered to the body again in order to increase the oxygen binding ability. Virén himself has always denied having used such practices.

At the Olympic Games in Moscow in 1980 was Virén fifth in the 10,000 meters after he had only just qualified for the finals. He withdrew its a start in the 5000 -meter run and started for the marathon. In the run, he belonged to for a long time the leading group, but had to abandon the race due to abdominal pain in the second half of the race. In the fall of 1980, he finished his career. Virén is a well known personality in Finland and from 1999 to 2007 and from 2010 to 2011 Member of the conservative National Coalition Party in the Finnish Parliament.

Leave Virén in 1972 and 1976 voted Finland's Sportsman of the Year and 1972 European Athlete of the Year. Near the Olympic Stadium of Helsinki and in his hometown Myrskylä him two life-sized monuments were erected in honor.

Background

Virén preferred training in the forest. He swore by the benefits of this training. After his double win at the 1972 Olympics, he said: "The peace of nature is a factor that contributes to the strengthening of mental power; when you walk in the woods, you have to constantly change the pace and rhythm of running, for example, to avoid roots, and that requires constant vigilance, as in competition. "