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Tero PitkamakiFinnish javelin thrower
Date of Birth: 19.12.1982
Country:  Finland |
Content:
- Tero Pitkämäki: Finnish Javelin Star
- International Accolades
- Unfortunate Incident
- Recognition and Legacy
Tero Pitkämäki: Finnish Javelin Star
Olympic Success and RecordsTero Pitkämäki, a renowned Finnish javelin thrower, held the title of World Champion in 2007 and earned the bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. His impressive performance at the 2004 Olympic Games, where he placed eighth with a throw of 83.01 meters, marked his entry into the world's elite javelin throwers. Pitkämäki has claimed the Finnish championship title four times. In 2012, he secured fifth place at the Olympic Games.
International Accolades
On the global stage, Pitkämäki has achieved remarkable success. At the 2013 World Championships in Moscow, he won a silver medal on August 17. Two years later, at the 2015 World Championships in Beijing, he earned a bronze medal, which remained the only medal won by a Finnish athlete at the competition. In 2014, he claimed another bronze medal at the European Championships with a throw of 84.40 meters.
Unfortunate Incident
During the IAAF Golden League Grand Prix event at the Rome Olympic Stadium on July 13, 2007, Pitkämäki's javelin veered off course and struck French long jumper Salim Sdiri in the back. Sdiri was immediately transported to the hospital with a non-critical injury. Though Sdiri was able to walk the following day and met with Pitkämäki, subsequent evaluations revealed that his injuries were more severe than initially thought. Despite damage to his kidney and other internal organs, surgery was not necessary.
Recognition and Legacy
Pitkämäki's exceptional athleticism has earned him the prestigious title of Sportsman of the Year in Finland on three occasions, in 2007, 2013, and 2015. He announced his retirement from professional sports in October 2019, leaving behind an unparalleled legacy in the world of javelin throwing.
