Heikki Savolainen
Dr. Savolainen’s legendary achievements – including 9 Olympic medals and 2 World Championship gold medals – are crowned by one of the most remarkable records in the history of gymnastics: competing in an astounding 5 Olympic Games spanning 24 years!
Induction Speech Video
HEIKKI I. SAVOLAINEN is regarded as the finest gymnast in the history of Finnish gymnastics.
HEIKKI I. SAVOLAINEN is regarded as the finest gymnast in the history of Finnish gymnastics. His legendary achievements – including 9 Olympic medals and 2 World Championship gold medals – are crowned by one of the most remarkable records in the history of gymnastics: competing in an astounding 5 Olympic Games spanning 24 years!
Dr. Savolainen won his first Olympic medal, a bronze on the pommel horse, during the 1928 Olympic Games. His final medal, also a bronze, came during the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki, Finland. After taking the Olympic Oath on behalf of all the athletes in all sports during the Opening Ceremonies, Dr. Savolainen, at age 44, led the Finnish men's gymnastics team to a bronze medal, his 9th and final Olympic medal.
1928 OLYMPIC GAMES
- Bronze Medalist: Pommel Horse
1932 OLYMPIC GAMES
- Silver Medalist: Horizontal Bar
- Bronze Medalist: All-Around, Parallel Bars, Team
1936 OLYMPIC GAMES
- Bronze Medalist: Team
1948 OLYMPIC GAMES
- Gold Medalist and Olympic Champion: Pommel Horse, Team
1952 OLYMPIC GAMES
- Bronze Medalist: Team
2004 INTERNATIONAL GYMNASTICS HALL OF FAME
- Inducted as a member of the Class of 2004