Juha Väätäinen
Encyclopedia
Juha Väätäinen is a former Finnish
athlete. He is the winner of the 5,000-meter and 10,000-meter gold medals at the 1971 European Championships
held in Helsinki
. He was the eldest of the successful Finnish runners Lasse Virén
, Pekka Vasala
, Tapio Kantanen
, Martti Vainio
, and Kaarlo Maaninka
who came into the limelight in the 1970s. He is currently a MP for the True Finns
.
in 1960. In 1965-1967 his main event was 800 metres
, in which he won Nordic Championship
in 1965, beating, for example, young Anders Gärderud
.
Väätäinen was coached by Paavo Meskus from 1963 until Meskus death in 1968. However, Väätäinen was pretty independent and planned his training mostly by himself. He was also interested about the altitude training
as early as in the winter of 1966-67 when he spent seven months in Alamosa as a student.
In the summer of 1968 Väätäinen trained five weeks in Rhodes
and on his return to Finland he ran 3000 metres
in Helsinki
in 8:01.0, improving his personal best by 52 seconds. The competition was won by 3000 metres steeplechase World record holder Jouko Kuha
with the new Finnish record 7:56.6. After the season 1968 Väätäinen decided to focus on the long-distance
running.
for the second time in Cervinia
. He ran 10,000 metres in 28:53.0 and 5000 metres in 13:50.0 and was selected to the European Championships
in Athens
. However, he was not able to compete because of the infection
he received from the drug injection
due to his weak blood test results.
In December 1969 Väätäinen stayed in Frankfurt
on his trip to São Paulo
. His foot slipped on the snowy road and Achilles tendon
was injured. Anyway, he finished Saint Silvester Road Race being 26th. As his original intention was to continue training in Brazil
after the race, he decided to stay in Penedo
, Itatiaia
. Because of the injury, his training was reduced until March 1970. However, in April 1970 he ran 1100 km.
In 1970 Väätäinen improved his personal bests: 5000 metres in 13:43.2 and 10,000 metres in 28:19.6. After the season, the injured Achilles tendon
was operated.
. He was 10th at the Saint Silvester Road Race. In Penedo
he ran over 1000 km per month. In the late March he flew to Mexico City
for altitude training
. In Mexico he ran 350 km per week at his height. In May he continued to California
where he improved his 2 mile Finnish record to 8:33.0. After his return to Europe
, Väätäinen continued altitude training in Font-Romeu-Odeillo-Via
.
After his return to Finland
Väätäinen set new Finnish records in 3000 metres (7:56.4) on July 20, Helsinki
; and in 10,000 metres (28:12.8) at the Finnish Championships
on July 23, Oulu
.
The European Championships
10,000 meters final was held on August 10. The race is regarded by many as one of the greatest distance races of all time. In front of a highly excited Finnish crowd Väätäinen was in a group of six runners at the final bell following David Bedford
, who had led from the start. Väätäinen and Jürgen Haase
both kicked past Bedford in a thrilling last lap "burn-up" bringing the crowd to its feet as they battled neck and neck to the line with Väätainen just edging out Haase in the new Finnish record time 27:52.78. Väätäinen ran last 400 metres in 53.8 seconds.
The 5000 metres final was held four days later. Väätäinen won this event as well, beating Jean Wadoux and Harald Norpoth
in the new Finnish record 13:32.8. This race also came down to a fast last lap, with Väätäinen's blazing the last 400 meters in 53.0 seconds.
In the Track & Field News
annual world ranking Väätäinen was ranked first both at 5000 and 10,000 metres.
. In summer 1972 he suffered from Sciatica
. At the Olympics
in Munich
he qualified for the 5000 meters final
, but disappointed with a 13th place finish. However, only three days later in Rome
Väätäinen improved his personal best at 5000 metres to 13:28.4. On the following day he ran 13:35.4 in Helsinki
, placing third in the same race that Lasse Virén
set a new World record 13:16.4. Väätäinen ended his athletics career after the season, attempting to come back in 1974 but unsuccessfully.
and Sari Essayah
. Väätäinen served as a head coach of long-distance runners at the Finnish Athletics Association in 1988-90. In the 2000s Väätäinen has worked as a painter. In 2007 he was a candidate at the Finnish parliamentary election
but was not elected. In 2011
he ran again and this time was elected as a candidate of the True Finns
party.
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
athlete. He is the winner of the 5,000-meter and 10,000-meter gold medals at the 1971 European Championships
1971 European Championships in Athletics
The 10th European Athletics Championships were held from 10 August to 15 August 1971 in the Olympic Stadium of Helsinki, the capital of Finland.-Track:1966 |1969 |1971 |1974 |1978-Field:1966 |1969 |1971 |1974 |1978-Track:...
held in Helsinki
Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital and largest city in Finland. It is in the region of Uusimaa, located in southern Finland, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, an arm of the Baltic Sea. The population of the city of Helsinki is , making it by far the most populous municipality in Finland. Helsinki is...
. He was the eldest of the successful Finnish runners Lasse Virén
Lasse Virén
Lasse Artturi Virén is a former Finnish long-distance runner, winner of four gold medals at the 1972 and 1976 Summer Olympics...
, Pekka Vasala
Pekka Vasala
Pekka Antero Vasala was a middle-distance athlete who won an Olympic gold medal in the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich....
, Tapio Kantanen
Tapio Kantanen
Tapio Kantanen was a Finnish athlete, who mainly competed in the 3,000 metre steeple chase.He competed for Finland at the 1972 Summer Olympics held in Munich, Germany where he won the bronze medal in the 3,000 metres steeplechase event. He also competed in the 5,000 metres at Munich, but did not...
, Martti Vainio
Martti Vainio
Martti Sakari Vainio is a former Finnish long distance runner. In Finland he is recognized as the last of the great runners of famous "V-line", the previous ones being Juha Väätäinen, Lasse Virén, and Pekka Vasala...
, and Kaarlo Maaninka
Kaarlo Maaninka
Kaarlo Hannes Maaninka is a former Finnish long distance runner who won a silver medal in the 10,000 metres and a bronze medal in the 5,000 metres at the 1980 Moscow Olympics.- Records :* 1 500 m: 3.46,80...
who came into the limelight in the 1970s. He is currently a MP for the True Finns
True Finns
True Finns or The Finns is a populist and nationalist political party in Finland, founded in 1995 following the dissolution of the Finnish Rural Party. The head of the movement is Timo Soini. In the 2011 Finnish parliamentary election, The party won 19.1% of votes, becoming the third largest party...
.
Early career 1960-68
Väätäinen started his running career as a sprinter. He won his first Junior Finnish Championship in 400 metres hurdles400 metres hurdles
The 400 metres hurdles is an Olympic athletics event in track and field. On a standard outdoor track 400 metres is the length of the inside lane once around the stadium. Runners stay in their lane the entire way after starting out of the blocks and must clear ten hurdles that are evenly...
in 1960. In 1965-1967 his main event was 800 metres
800 metres
The 800 meter race is a common track running event. It is the shortest common middle distance track event. The 800 meter is run over two laps of the track and has always been an Olympic event. During indoor track season the event is usually run on a 200 meter track, therefore requiring four laps...
, in which he won Nordic Championship
Nordic Championship
The Nordic Championships refers to a number of sporting competitions for Nordic countries. For some of the competitions, is the top achievement in a sport or contest for Nordic athletes...
in 1965, beating, for example, young Anders Gärderud
Anders Gärderud
Sven Anders Gärderud is a Swedish former athlete, winner of 3000 m steeplechase at the 1976 Summer Olympics....
.
Väätäinen was coached by Paavo Meskus from 1963 until Meskus death in 1968. However, Väätäinen was pretty independent and planned his training mostly by himself. He was also interested about the altitude training
Altitude training
Altitude training is the practice by some endurance athletes of training for several weeks at high altitude, preferably over above sea level, though more commonly at intermediate altitudes due to the shortage of suitable high-altitude locations...
as early as in the winter of 1966-67 when he spent seven months in Alamosa as a student.
In the summer of 1968 Väätäinen trained five weeks in Rhodes
Rhodes
Rhodes is an island in Greece, located in the eastern Aegean Sea. It is the largest of the Dodecanese islands in terms of both land area and population, with a population of 117,007, and also the island group's historical capital. Administratively the island forms a separate municipality within...
and on his return to Finland he ran 3000 metres
3000 metres
The 3000 metres is a popular amateur middle distance track event where 7.5 laps are completed around a 400 metre track. This event is generally classified as middle distance, but it could be classed as a long distance event in many high schools, since they do not promote races such as the 5000 and...
in Helsinki
Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital and largest city in Finland. It is in the region of Uusimaa, located in southern Finland, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, an arm of the Baltic Sea. The population of the city of Helsinki is , making it by far the most populous municipality in Finland. Helsinki is...
in 8:01.0, improving his personal best by 52 seconds. The competition was won by 3000 metres steeplechase World record holder Jouko Kuha
Jouko Kuha
Jouko Santeri Kuha is a former Finnish long-distance runner, who specialized for 3000 metres steeplechase. In 1968 he broke the World record with his result 8:24.2.- Career :...
with the new Finnish record 7:56.6. After the season 1968 Väätäinen decided to focus on the long-distance
Long-distance track event
Long-distance track event races require runners to balance their energy. These types of races are predominantly aerobic in nature and at the highest level, exceptional levels of aerobic endurance is required more than anything else...
running.
Move to long-distances 1969-70
In 1969 Väätäinen practiced altitude trainingAltitude training
Altitude training is the practice by some endurance athletes of training for several weeks at high altitude, preferably over above sea level, though more commonly at intermediate altitudes due to the shortage of suitable high-altitude locations...
for the second time in Cervinia
Cervinia
Breuil-Cervinia is an alpine resort in the Valle d'Aosta region of northwest Italy...
. He ran 10,000 metres in 28:53.0 and 5000 metres in 13:50.0 and was selected to the European Championships
1969 European Championships in Athletics
The 9th European Athletics Championships were held from 16 September to 21 September 1969 in the Karaiskaki Stadium of Athens, the capital of Greece. New at these championships were the women's 1,500 metres and the women's 4x400 metres relay event....
in Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
. However, he was not able to compete because of the infection
Infection
An infection is the colonization of a host organism by parasite species. Infecting parasites seek to use the host's resources to reproduce, often resulting in disease...
he received from the drug injection
Injection (medicine)
An injection is an infusion method of putting fluid into the body, usually with a hollow needle and a syringe which is pierced through the skin to a sufficient depth for the material to be forced into the body...
due to his weak blood test results.
In December 1969 Väätäinen stayed in Frankfurt
Frankfurt
Frankfurt am Main , commonly known simply as Frankfurt, is the largest city in the German state of Hesse and the fifth-largest city in Germany, with a 2010 population of 688,249. The urban area had an estimated population of 2,300,000 in 2010...
on his trip to São Paulo
São Paulo
São Paulo is the largest city in Brazil, the largest city in the southern hemisphere and South America, and the world's seventh largest city by population. The metropolis is anchor to the São Paulo metropolitan area, ranked as the second-most populous metropolitan area in the Americas and among...
. His foot slipped on the snowy road and Achilles tendon
Achilles tendon
The Achilles tendon , also known as the calcaneal tendon or the tendo calcaneus, is a tendon of the posterior leg. It serves to attach the plantaris, gastrocnemius and soleus muscles to the calcaneus bone.- Anatomy :The Achilles is the tendonous extension of 3 muscles in the lower leg:...
was injured. Anyway, he finished Saint Silvester Road Race being 26th. As his original intention was to continue training in Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
after the race, he decided to stay in Penedo
Penedo (Itatiaia)
Penedo is a district in the Itatiaia municipality, located in the southern region of Rio de Janeiro state, in Brazil. It is the first Finnish colony in Brazil, and some Finnish influence can still be noticed in some houses, and commercial buildings, as well as in the local culture....
, Itatiaia
Itatiaia
Itatiaia is a Brazilian municipality of the state of Rio de Janeiro. It is located at an altitude of 390 meters. Its population was 30,168 and its area is 224.96 km²....
. Because of the injury, his training was reduced until March 1970. However, in April 1970 he ran 1100 km.
In 1970 Väätäinen improved his personal bests: 5000 metres in 13:43.2 and 10,000 metres in 28:19.6. After the season, the injured Achilles tendon
Achilles tendon
The Achilles tendon , also known as the calcaneal tendon or the tendo calcaneus, is a tendon of the posterior leg. It serves to attach the plantaris, gastrocnemius and soleus muscles to the calcaneus bone.- Anatomy :The Achilles is the tendonous extension of 3 muscles in the lower leg:...
was operated.
European Championships in Helsinki 1971
In the winter of 1970-71 Väätäinen trained again in BrazilBrazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
. He was 10th at the Saint Silvester Road Race. In Penedo
Penedo (Itatiaia)
Penedo is a district in the Itatiaia municipality, located in the southern region of Rio de Janeiro state, in Brazil. It is the first Finnish colony in Brazil, and some Finnish influence can still be noticed in some houses, and commercial buildings, as well as in the local culture....
he ran over 1000 km per month. In the late March he flew to Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
for altitude training
Altitude training
Altitude training is the practice by some endurance athletes of training for several weeks at high altitude, preferably over above sea level, though more commonly at intermediate altitudes due to the shortage of suitable high-altitude locations...
. In Mexico he ran 350 km per week at his height. In May he continued to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
where he improved his 2 mile Finnish record to 8:33.0. After his return to Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, Väätäinen continued altitude training in Font-Romeu-Odeillo-Via
Font-Romeu-Odeillo-Via
Font-Romeu-Odeillo-Via , or Odeillo, is a commune in the Pyrénées-Orientales and Cerdagne near the Spanish border in the south of France.It also is one of the oldest ski resorts in France and the oldest in the Pyrenees.- Solar Power :...
.
After his return to Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
Väätäinen set new Finnish records in 3000 metres (7:56.4) on July 20, Helsinki
Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital and largest city in Finland. It is in the region of Uusimaa, located in southern Finland, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, an arm of the Baltic Sea. The population of the city of Helsinki is , making it by far the most populous municipality in Finland. Helsinki is...
; and in 10,000 metres (28:12.8) at the Finnish Championships
Finnish Championships in Athletics
The Finnish Championships in Athletics, which are known as Kalevan kisat in Finnish, were first held in Tampere in 1907. Since then, they have been held in a different location every year...
on July 23, Oulu
Oulu
Oulu is a city and municipality of inhabitants in the region of Northern Ostrobothnia, in Finland. It is the most populous city in Northern Finland and the sixth most populous city in the country. It is one of the northernmost larger cities in the world....
.
The European Championships
1971 European Championships in Athletics
The 10th European Athletics Championships were held from 10 August to 15 August 1971 in the Olympic Stadium of Helsinki, the capital of Finland.-Track:1966 |1969 |1971 |1974 |1978-Field:1966 |1969 |1971 |1974 |1978-Track:...
10,000 meters final was held on August 10. The race is regarded by many as one of the greatest distance races of all time. In front of a highly excited Finnish crowd Väätäinen was in a group of six runners at the final bell following David Bedford
David Bedford (athlete)
David Colin Bedford is an English former long distance runner, a colourful character whose career spanned the early 1970s. He is now race director of the London Marathon, and a representative for UK Athletics on the IAAF Road Running Committee.Bedford held the world record at 10,000m, improving it...
, who had led from the start. Väätäinen and Jürgen Haase
Jürgen Haase (athlete)
Jürgen Haase is a former track and field athlete and Olympian, who, starting for the German Democratic Republic, was among the world's best long distance track runners in the 1960s and 1970s...
both kicked past Bedford in a thrilling last lap "burn-up" bringing the crowd to its feet as they battled neck and neck to the line with Väätainen just edging out Haase in the new Finnish record time 27:52.78. Väätäinen ran last 400 metres in 53.8 seconds.
The 5000 metres final was held four days later. Väätäinen won this event as well, beating Jean Wadoux and Harald Norpoth
Harald Norpoth
Harald Norpoth is a West German former middle and long distance runner. Born in Münster, he won the silver medal over 5000m at the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo as a member of the United Team of Germany. He had already competed in the 1962 European Athletics Championships, where he had fallen and...
in the new Finnish record 13:32.8. This race also came down to a fast last lap, with Väätäinen's blazing the last 400 meters in 53.0 seconds.
In the Track & Field News
Track & Field News
Track & Field News is a magazine founded in 1948 by brothers Bert Nelson & Cordner Nelson, focused on the world of track and field.The magazine provides coverage of athletics in the U.S.A. from the high school to national level as well as covering the sport on an international bases. The magazine...
annual world ranking Väätäinen was ranked first both at 5000 and 10,000 metres.
Olympics 1972
In winter of 1971-72 Väätäinen trained at high altitude in NairobiNairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
. In summer 1972 he suffered from Sciatica
Sciatica
Sciatica is a set of symptoms including pain that may be caused by general compression or irritation of one of five spinal nerve roots that give rise to each sciatic nerve, or by compression or irritation of the left or right or both sciatic nerves. The pain is felt in the lower back, buttock, or...
. At the Olympics
1972 Summer Olympics
The 1972 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XX Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Munich, West Germany, from August 26 to September 11, 1972....
in Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
he qualified for the 5000 meters final
Athletics at the 1972 Summer Olympics - Men's 5000 metres
The Men's 5.000 metres at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, West Germany took place on September 10, 1972.-Final:-References:*...
, but disappointed with a 13th place finish. However, only three days later in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
Väätäinen improved his personal best at 5000 metres to 13:28.4. On the following day he ran 13:35.4 in Helsinki
Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital and largest city in Finland. It is in the region of Uusimaa, located in southern Finland, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, an arm of the Baltic Sea. The population of the city of Helsinki is , making it by far the most populous municipality in Finland. Helsinki is...
, placing third in the same race that Lasse Virén
Lasse Virén
Lasse Artturi Virén is a former Finnish long-distance runner, winner of four gold medals at the 1972 and 1976 Summer Olympics...
set a new World record 13:16.4. Väätäinen ended his athletics career after the season, attempting to come back in 1974 but unsuccessfully.
Professional career
By his education Väätäinen is a primary school teacher. However, he has not worked in the profession after the 1960s. During the years, Väätäinen has worked as a coach, being especially successful in the field racewalking. He has coached, for example, Reima SalonenReima Salonen
Reima Untamo Salonen is a retired race walker from Finland, known for winning the gold medal in the men's 50 km Walk event at the 1982 European Championships in Athens, Greece. A former world record holder, he represented his native country in three Summer Olympics .-Achievements:-References:*...
and Sari Essayah
Sari Essayah
Sari Miriam Essayah is a Finnish retired race walker and a politician, Member of the European Parliament since 2009. Her father is from Morocco....
. Väätäinen served as a head coach of long-distance runners at the Finnish Athletics Association in 1988-90. In the 2000s Väätäinen has worked as a painter. In 2007 he was a candidate at the Finnish parliamentary election
Finnish parliamentary election, 2007
The Finnish parliamentary election of 2007 was the 35th election to the Eduskunta , held on 18 March 2007 after the termination of the previous parliamentary term. Early voting was possible from the 7–13 March. Two hundred MPs were elected from 15 constituencies.Election themes included a reduction...
but was not elected. In 2011
Finnish parliamentary election, 2011
An election to the Eduskunta was held on 17 April 2011 after the termination of the previous parliamentary term. Advance voting, which included voting by Finnish expatriates, was held between 6 and 12 April with a turnout of 31.2%....
he ran again and this time was elected as a candidate of the True Finns
True Finns
True Finns or The Finns is a populist and nationalist political party in Finland, founded in 1995 following the dissolution of the Finnish Rural Party. The head of the movement is Timo Soini. In the 2011 Finnish parliamentary election, The party won 19.1% of votes, becoming the third largest party...
party.
External links
- Tilastopaja profile for Juha Väätäinen (in Finnish)
- Track & Field News Men's World Rankings, 1947-2002