Merja Rantanen
Merja Rantanen ( born December 7, 1980 in Jämsänkoski ) is a Finnish orienteer.
Rantanen was first used internationally at the World Games 2005 in the Ruhr. Rantanen came in seventh place in the individual competition and to eleventh place with the Finnish mixed relay. In 2006 she ran her first season in the World Cup. At the European Championships in 2008 in the Latvian Ventspils they finished second in the individual event ranks five and six as well as the second place on the middle distance. Rantanen remained back just behind her compatriot Heli Jukkola. In the same year she made her debut in the Czech Republic at the World Championships of the assets. In the middle distance, she came in sixth place in the victory of their team mate Minna Kauppi. Together with Kauppi and Katri Lindeqvist she won the relay competition. The Finnish women's relay was able to win again in 2010 and 2011 the world title. At the European Championships in 2010 and 2012, the Finns also won silver with Rantanen. In the home World Championships 2013 in Vuokatti Merja Rantanen won her first individual medal at the World Championships when she was on the middle distance behind the Swiss Simone Niggli and the Swede Tove Alexandersson third parties.
Rantanen runs for the club Jämsän Retki - Veikot. Between 2009 and 2011 she ran for Tampere Koo -Vee.