Arnold Viiding facts for kids

Arnold Viiding (born March 19, 1911, in Valga, Estonia – died October 20, 2006, in Sydney, Australia) was a talented Estonian athlete. He was known for his skills in shot put and discus throw. At the 1936 Summer Olympics, he placed eighth in the shot put event. His best throw was 15.23 meters.

Early Life and Education

Arnold Viiding finished his studies at the Tallinn Police School in 1932. After graduating, he began working as a policeman. In 1936, while studying, he joined Fraternitas Estica, which was a student organization at the university. Later, in 1940, he earned a law degree from the University of Tartu.

Life During World War II

During World War II, Estonia faced a difficult time. In 1941, when Germany took control of Estonia, Arnold Viiding continued to work in the police force. He became the chief of the police school. This was a challenging period for many people in Estonia.

Moving to Australia

In 1944, Arnold Viiding left Estonia. This was because the Soviet Union was taking control of the country. He first moved to Germany. Then, in 1949, he moved to Australia to start a new life. In Australia, he worked with other Estonians. Together, they started a company called "Arnolds Plastics," which made plastic products.