Matti Järvinen(1909-1985)

Champion javelin thrower Matti Henrikki Jarvinen was born on February 18, 1909 in Tampere, Finland. The son of Olympic bronze medalist Verner Jarvinen, Matti set ten world records in the men's javelin throw from 1930 to 1936. Moreover, Jarvinen won the gold medal in the men's javelin throw at the 1932 Olympics in Los Angeles, California and place fifth in the same event at the 1936 Olympic games in Berlin, Germany. In addition, Matti not only was the European champion in the men's javelin throw in both 1934 and 1938, but also won eight Finnish championship titles. In 1939 Javinen served in the Winter War on the Karelian Isthmus and trained soldiers to throw hand grenades. Following his tour of duty Matti became a prominent economic advisor and was the executive director of the Otaniemi Sports Foundation. After finishing his active sports career in 1945, Finland's post office honored Jarvinen with a stamp showing his image. Matti died at age 76 on July 22, 1985 in Helsinki, Finland. His brother Akilles was a two-time Olympic silver medalist in the men's decathlon while his other sibling Kalle placed ninth in the men's shot put at the 1932 Olympics.