Siiri Johanna "Äitee" Rantanen (née Lintunen, 14 December 1924 – 5 May 2023) was a Finnish cross-country skier. She competed in the 1952, 1956, and 1960 Olympics and won a medal in each of them: a gold and a bronze in the 3 × 5 km relay in 1956–60 and another bronze in the individual 10 km in 1952; she placed fifth and 15th over 10 km in 1956 and 1960, respectively. She also won five medals at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships.[1]

Siiri Rantanen
Rantanen in the 1950s
Personal information
Born(1924-12-14)14 December 1924
Tohmajärvi, North Karelia, Finland
Died5 May 2023(2023-05-05) (aged 98)
Lahti, Päijänne Tavastia, Finland
Height165 cm (5 ft 5 in)
Weight56–58 kg (123–128 lb)
Sport
SportCross-country skiing
ClubJoensuun Kataja
Lahden Hiihtoseura
Medal record
Women's cross-country skiing
Representing  Finland
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 1956 Cortina d'Ampezzo 3 × 5 km relay
Bronze medal – third place 1952 Oslo 10 km
Bronze medal – third place 1960 Squaw Valley 3 × 5 km relay
World Championships
Silver medal – second place 1954 Falun 10 km
Silver medal – second place 1954 Falun 3 × 5 km relay
Silver medal – second place 1958 Lahti 3 × 5 km relay
Bronze medal – third place 1958 Lahti 10 km
Bronze medal – third place 1962 Zakopane 3 × 5 km relay

Domestically Rantanen won six individual (10 km in 1954 and 1957–58; 5 km in 1960–1962) and five relay titles (1952, 1958–1961). Rantanen also won three Finnish titles in athletics: one individual in cross-country running in 1960 and two in 1961, in the 3 × 800 m relay and team cross-country; the same year she also became the Finnish champion in the 50 km cycling road race. She was selected as the Finnish female athlete of the year in 1954, 1956, 1958, and 1959. Rantanen worked as an upholsterer and continued competing in sports until her 80s.[1]

Rantanen died in Lahti on 5 May 2023, at the age of 98.[2]

Cross-country skiing results

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All results are sourced from the International Ski Federation (FIS).[3]

Olympic Games

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  • 3 medals – (1 gold, 2 bronze)
 Year   Age   10 km   3 × 5 km 
 relay 
1952 27 Bronze
1956 31 5 Gold
1960 35 15 Bronze

World Championships

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  • 5 medals – (3 silver, 2 bronze)
 Year   Age   5 km   10 km   3 × 5 km 
 relay 
1954 29 Silver Silver
1958 33 Bronze Silver
1962 37 4 Bronze

References

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  1. ^ a b Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Siiri Rantanen". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020.
  2. ^ "Hiihtäjälegenda Siiri "Äitee" Rantanen on kuollut" (in Finnish). Helsingin Sanomat. 5 May 2023. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  3. ^ "RANTANEN Siri". FIS-Ski. International Ski Federation. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
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