Hannes Kolehmainen is described in the public record as Finnish long-distance runner.
Juho Pietari "Hannes" Kolehmainen (Finnish: [ˈhɑnːes ˈkolehmɑi̯nen] ; 9 December 1889 – 11 January 1966) was a Finnish four-time Olympic gold medalist and a world record holder in middle- and long-distance running. He was the first in a generation of great Finnish long-distance runners, often named the "Flying Finns". Kolehmainen competed for a number of years in the United States, wearing the Winged Fist of the Irish American Athletic Club. He also enlisted in the 14th Regiment of the National Guard of New York, and became a U.S. citizen in 1921. == Biography == Kolehmainen, a devoted vegetarian and bricklayer by trade, was from a sportive family from Kuopio – his brothers William and Tatu were also strong long-distance runners. Kolehmainen won the 1911 British AAA Championships 4 miles title at the 1911 AAA Championships. Hannes was one of the stars of the 1912 Summer Olympics in Stockholm, winning three gold medals.
Hannes Kolehmainen is recorded among the figures by whom historic sport is remembered, and the surviving account of that career is the basis on which the reputation rests.
The codified rules of most modern sports were written between 1850 and 1900, so the first great champions were competing while the games themselves were still being defined.
