Marja-Liisa Kirvesniemi
Encyclopedia
Marja-Liisa Kirvesniemi (née Hämäläinen; born 10 September 1955 in Simpele
) is a former Finnish
cross country skier. She was the big figure at the 1984 Olympics
in Sarajevo
, winning all three individual cross country skiing events (5, 10 and 20 km), and a bronze medal for Finland in the relay. In the process, she became the most successful athlete at the 1984 Winter Olympics. At the 1988 Winter Olympics
in Calgary
, she won another relay bronze medal, and at the 1994 Winter Olympics
in Lillehammer
, she won two more bronze medals in the 5 and 30 km.
At the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships
, Kirvesniemi won three golds in the 10 km (1989) and 4 x 5 km (1978, 1989), and five silvers in the 5 km (1985, 1991), 10 km (1985) and 15 km (1989, 1993). She also won the 20 km double pursuit at the 1989 Holmenkollen ski festival
.
Kirvesniemi won the Holmenkollen medal
in 1989. Her husband, Harri
, would be awarded the Holmenkollen medal in 1998. They were the third husband and wife pair that won this prestigious honor. They are the only married couple to have both competed at six Olympics, and are among the only five Finns to have done so - the others being Raimo Helminen
(ice hockey), Kyra Kyrklund
(dressage), and Juha Hirvi
(shooting).
Rautjärvi
Rautjärvi is a municipality of Finland.It is located in the province of Southern Finland and is part of the South Karelia region. The municipality has a population of and covers an area of ofwhich is water. The population density is....
) is a former Finnish
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...
cross country skier. She was the big figure at the 1984 Olympics
1984 Winter Olympics
The 1984 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XIV Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated from 8–19 February 1984 in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia. Other candidate cities were Sapporo, Japan; and Gothenburg, Sweden...
in Sarajevo
Sarajevo
Sarajevo |Bosnia]], surrounded by the Dinaric Alps and situated along the Miljacka River in the heart of Southeastern Europe and the Balkans....
, winning all three individual cross country skiing events (5, 10 and 20 km), and a bronze medal for Finland in the relay. In the process, she became the most successful athlete at the 1984 Winter Olympics. At the 1988 Winter Olympics
1988 Winter Olympics
The 1988 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XV Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event celebrated in and around Calgary, Alberta, Canada from 13 to 28 February 1988. The host was selected in 1981 after having beat Falun, Sweden and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy...
in Calgary
Calgary
Calgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies...
, she won another relay bronze medal, and at the 1994 Winter Olympics
1994 Winter Olympics
The 1994 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XVII Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 12 to 27 February 1994 in and around Lillehammer, Norway. Lillehammer failed to win the bid for the 1992 event. Lillehammer was awarded the games in 1988, after having beat...
in Lillehammer
Lillehammer
is a town and municipality in Oppland county, Norway, globally known for hosting the 1994 Winter Olympics. It is part of the traditional region of Gudbrandsdal. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Lillehammer. As of May 2011, the population of the town of Lillehammer was...
, she won two more bronze medals in the 5 and 30 km.
At the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships
FIS Nordic World Ski Championships
The FIS Nordic World Ski Championships have been held in various numbers and types of events since 1925 for men and since 1954 for women. Championship events include nordic skiing's three disciplines: cross-country skiing, ski jumping, and nordic combined...
, Kirvesniemi won three golds in the 10 km (1989) and 4 x 5 km (1978, 1989), and five silvers in the 5 km (1985, 1991), 10 km (1985) and 15 km (1989, 1993). She also won the 20 km double pursuit at the 1989 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...
.
Kirvesniemi won the Holmenkollen medal
Holmenkollen medal
The Holmenkollen medal is Norwegian skiing's highest award for competitors. It signifies top placings in international championships and other international events, including the Holmenkollen events....
in 1989. Her husband, Harri
Harri Kirvesniemi
Harri Tapani Kirvesniemi is a Finnish former cross country skier who competed from 1980 to 2001. During his career he won six Olympic medals , and also the 50 km event at the Holmenkollen ski festival in 2000...
, would be awarded the Holmenkollen medal in 1998. They were the third husband and wife pair that won this prestigious honor. They are the only married couple to have both competed at six Olympics, and are among the only five Finns to have done so - the others being Raimo Helminen
Raimo Helminen
Raimo Ilmari Helminen is a Finnish former professional ice hockey player. He is often called "Raipe" or "Maestro" by his fans...
(ice hockey), Kyra Kyrklund
Kyra Kyrklund
Kyra Marie Christine Kyrklund is a Finnish dressage rider and trainer who currently lives in West Sussex. In 1991 she and "Matador II" won the World Cup Finals in Paris...
(dressage), and Juha Hirvi
Juha Hirvi
Juha Hirvi is a Finnish sport shooter. He won the silver medal in men's 50 metre rifle three positions at the 2000 Summer Olympics. He has also won two silver medals in ISSF World Shooting Championships...
(shooting).