The Resume

(December 9, 1889-January 11, 1966)
Born in Kuopio, Finland
Birth name was Juho Pietari Kolehmainen
Long-distance runner
Won gold medals at the 1912 Olympics in 5000 meters, 10000 meters and cross-country
Won a gold medal at the 1920 Olympics in the marathon
Held records in the men's 3000 meters (1912-18) and marathon (1920-25)
Became a US citizen (1921)

Why he might be annoying:

He was a vegetarian.
Because Finland was part of Russia in 1912, the Russian flag was raised for his three victories, leading him to say he 'almost wished I hadn't won.'
Despite being Finnish, when he settled in New York City he competed for the Irish American Ahtletic Club.

Why he might not be annoying:

He was the first of the 'Flying Finns' to dominate distance running, followed by countrymen Paavo Nurmi, Ville Ritola and Lasse Viren.
At one point, he held the American record for every distance from 3 to 10 miles.
Philip Noel-Baker said he was 'a generous competitor and a modest winner.'

Credit: C. Fishel

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• C. Fishel's Profiles [Series 46]
• I am Finnish
• I Died in 1966 (Ranked: 76)
• I Lit the Summer Olympic Torch (Ranked: 1952)
• I Ran a Marathon
• I Ran in the Boston Marathon
• Look at Me, I'm Postage
• Profiles 34001-34250 (Ranked: 34096)
• Track and Field

Year In Review:

For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 6 Votes: 83.33% Annoying
In 2023, Out of 5 Votes: 40.0% Annoying
In 2022, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 10 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
In 2020, Out of 3 Votes: 100% Annoying
In 2019, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2017, Out of 4 Votes: 25.00% Annoying
In 2016, Out of 4 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
In 2015, Out of 7 Votes: 42.86% Annoying
In 2014, Out of 14 Votes: 21.43% Annoying
In 2013, Out of 16 Votes: 50.0% Annoying