Eero Mäntyranta

Eero Antero Mäntyranta (20 November 1937 – 29 December 2013^[1]) was one of the most successful Finnish cross-country skiers. He competed in four Winter Olympics (1960–1972) winning seven medals at three of them. His performance at the 1964 Winter Olympics earned him the nickname "Mister Seefeld", referring to the venue where the cross-country skiing and biathlon competitions took place.^[2] The Finnish Ministry of Education endowed him with the Pro Urheilu letter of recognition in 2000. There is also a museum centered on Mäntyranta in his birthplace of Pello.

Eero Mäntyranta
Mäntyranta at the 1964 Olympics
Full name	Eero Antero Mäntyranta
Born	(1937-11-20)20 November 1937 Turtola, Lapland, Finland
Died	29 December 2013(2013-12-29) (aged 76) Oulu, Northern Ostrobothnia, Finland
Height	170 cm (5 ft 7 in)
Ski club	Pellon Ponsi
Medal record Men's cross-country skiing Representing  Finland Olympic Games 1960 Squaw Valley 4 × 10 km relay 1964 Innsbruck 15 km 1964 Innsbruck 30 km 1964 Innsbruck 4 × 10 km relay 1968 Grenoble 15 km 1968 Grenoble 30 km 1968 Grenoble 4 × 10 km relay World Championships 1962 Zakopane 30 km 1966 Oslo 30 km 1962 Zakopane 4 × 10 km relay 1966 Oslo 4 × 10 km relay 1966 Oslo 50 km

Genetics and doping

Mäntyranta had primary familial and congenital polycythemia (PFCP) causing an increase in red blood cell mass and hemoglobin due to a mutation in the erythropoietin receptor (EPOR) gene, which was identified following a DNA study that found the mutation in a high proportion of members of his extended family, as reported in 1993.^[3] The elevated hematocrit caused by the condition increases the ability of the blood to transport oxygen; the EPOR mutation is speculated to have contributed to Mäntyranta's remarkable endurance.^[2][4]

In 1972 Mäntyranta tested positive for amphetamine at a Finnish competition, becoming the first of his countrymen known to be caught doping.^[2] He later admitted taking hormones, which were not yet prohibited.^[2]

Cross-country skiing results

All results are sourced from the International Ski Federation (FIS).^[5]

Olympic Games

• 7 medals – (3 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze)

Year	Age	15 km	30 km	50 km	4 × 10 km   relay
1960	22	6	—	—	Gold
1964	26	Gold	Gold	9	Silver
1968	30	Silver	Bronze	15	Bronze
1972	34	—	19	DNF	—

World Championships

• 5 medals – (2 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze)

Year	Age	15 km	30 km	50 km	4 × 10 km   relay
1962	24	5	Gold	—	Silver
1966	28	6	Gold	Bronze	Silver

Accomplishments

• National domestic championships: five gold, two silver and two bronze
• Holmenkollen ski festival championships first place 1962, 1964 and 1968 (15 km)
• Holmenkollen medal in 1964 (Shared with Veikko Kankkonen, Georg Thoma, and Halvor Næs.).
• Salpausselkä games win 1964 and 1972.

See also

• Athletes of Finland
• Olympic Athletes of Finland