Olavi Aleksanteri MANNONEN

Olavi Mannonen, one of the best Finnish modern pentathletes in the 1950s, won his first Olympic medal in 1952 in the team event while placing fifth in the individual event. Four years later, Mannonen won silver in the individual event another bronze in the team event. At the World Championships, Mannonen was not as successful, winning only an individual silver in 1955. Domestically, Mannonen was Finnish champion in 1953 and 1956, taking silver in 1952, 1955 and 1960. He was also selected as the best Finnish modern pentathlete of the year four times (1952-53, 1955-56). By profession, Mannonen was a policeman working with the Helsinki mounted police beginning in 1952. From 1971 until his retirement in 1990, he was chief of the Helsinki mounted police.