Lauri Pihkala

Young Lauri Pihkala

Lauri ("Tahko") Pihkala (January 5, 1888, Pihtipudas – May 20, 1981) was the inventor of pesäpallo, the Finnish variant of baseball. He also competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics and in the 1912 Summer Olympics. In 1969 he became the first human together with president Urho Kekkonen and Professor Kaarina Kari to receive an honorary doctorate in Sport Sciences from the University of Jyväskylä.

Pihkala was an avid sports fan, and developed several games.

In 1908 he ranked 16th in the high jump competition. He also participated in the discus throw event but his result is unknown.

Four years later he was eliminated in the first round of the 800 metres competition.

During the Finnish Civil War he was responsible for propaganda in the White Guard flying unit "Devils of Kuhmoinen" of major Hans Kalm. The unit is known for having committed several war crimes, such as summary executions of children at concentration camps.

He was also a right-wing political activist, being a supporter of eugenics as a means to improve the military prowess of the Finnish people.

External links

• list of Finnish athletes