Veikko Hakulinen

Veikko Johannes Hakulinen (4 January 1925 – 24 October 2003) was a Finnish forestry technician and cross country skier, triple champion in both the olympics and world championship competition in cross country skiing. Besides his main forte, he also competed in biathlon, orienteering, ski-orienteering, cross country running and rowing at a national level and continued in senior competition.

Biography

Hakulinen was born in Kurkijoki (now part of the Republic of Karelia), Viipuri Province and died in Valkeakoski after a traffic accident.

Sports teams Hakulinen has represented in his career include Asikkalan Raikas, Valkeakosken Haka, Jämsänkosken Ilves, Evon Metsäpojat, Tampereen Hiihtoseura, Tampereen Pyrintö and Tampereen Maila.

In the 1952 Winter Olympics, Hakulinen won the 50 km gold with the legendary and memorable time of 3:33.33. Finland also won gold in the 4 x 10 km relay, ahead of Norway, but Hakulinen was not on the team (which had Heikki Hasu, Paavo Lonkila, Urpo Korhonen, and Tapio Mäkelä). Hakulinen was however on Finland's winning relay team in the 1960 Winter Olympics, and won the 30 km gold in the 1956 Winter Olympics. His fourth Olympics were the 1964 Winter Olympics, where he competed as a biathloner.