Lasse VIRÉN

Lasse Viren was a 23-year-old policeman when he made his Olympic debut in 1972.

Even a fall can’t keep him from winning

His first event was the 10,000m. Midway through the race, Viren was running in fifth place when he suddenly stumbled and fell. He rose quickly and moved up to second place within 230 metres. The lead changed hands several times. Then with 1½ laps to go, Viren applied pressure. One by one, his opponents fell behind. Lasse won by six metres and broke the seven-year-old world record. Ten days later, in the 5,000m final, Viren fought off the challenge of Mohamed Gammoudi of Tunisia to complete the long distance track double.

The second double

At the 1976 Olympic Games in Montréal, Viren had an easier time in the 10,000m. Carlos Lopes led for most of the race. Lasse passed him 450 metres from the finish and won by 30 metres. The 5,000m was harder. Although the Finnish athlete was in the lead at the beginning of the last lap, only five metres separated the first six runners. Coming out of the final turn, Viren beat back a fierce challenge by New Zealand's Dick Quax and won his fourth gold medal.