Toni Nieminen
Encyclopedia
Toni Nieminen is a Finnish
ski-jumper who competed from 1991 to 2004.
His biggest success came very early in his career at the age of 16, where he won three medals at the 1992 Winter Olympics
in Albertville
, earning two gold medals in the individual and team large hill events; and a bronze medal in the individual normal hill event. He became the youngest ever Winter Games gold medalist, besting Billy Fiske
(1928, bobsled) by one day. That same year, Nieminen went on to win both the ski-jumping event at the Holmenkollen ski festival
and the Ski jumping World Cup
.
In the later stages of his career, Nieminen did not match his earlier accomplishments, though he did become the first man in the world to jump over 200 meters at Planica
in 1994.
He is currently establishing himself in Finnish harness racing
.
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...
ski-jumper who competed from 1991 to 2004.
His biggest success came very early in his career at the age of 16, where he won three medals at the 1992 Winter Olympics
1992 Winter Olympics
The 1992 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XVI Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 8 to 23 February 1992 in Albertville, France. They were the last Winter Olympics to be held the same year as the Summer Olympics, and the first where the Winter Paralympics...
in Albertville
Albertville
Albertville is a commune in the Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.The town is best known for hosting the 1992 Winter Olympics.-Geography:...
, earning two gold medals in the individual and team large hill events; and a bronze medal in the individual normal hill event. He became the youngest ever Winter Games gold medalist, besting Billy Fiske
Billy Fiske
William Meade Lindsley "Billy" Fiske III was the 1928 and 1932 Olympic champion bobsled driver and, following Jimmy Davies, was one of the first American pilots killed in action in World War II...
(1928, bobsled) by one day. That same year, Nieminen went on to win both the ski-jumping event at the Holmenkollen ski festival
Holmenkollen ski festival
The Holmenkollen Ski Festival is a traditional annual Nordic skiing event in Holmenkollen, Oslo, Norway. The full official name of the event is Holmenkollen FIS World Cup Nordic. It takes place in March and has been arranged every year since 1892, except for 1898 and during World War II...
and the Ski jumping World Cup
Ski jumping World Cup
The FIS Ski Jumping World Cup is a ski jumping tournament held yearly by the International Ski Federation since 1979–80 season.- World Cup points :...
.
In the later stages of his career, Nieminen did not match his earlier accomplishments, though he did become the first man in the world to jump over 200 meters at Planica
Planica
Planica is an alpine valley in northwestern Slovenia, extending south from the border village of Rateče, not far from another well-known ski resort, Kranjska Gora. Further south, the valley extends into the Tamar Valley, a popular hiking destination in Triglav National Park.Planica is famous for...
in 1994.
He is currently establishing himself in Finnish harness racing
Harness racing
Harness racing is a form of horse racing in which the horses race at a specific gait . They usually pull a two-wheeled cart called a sulky, although racing under saddle is also conducted in Europe.-Breeds:...
.