Lydia Wideman facts for kids

Wideman at the 1952 Olympics
Quick facts for kids Personal information
Born	(1920-05-17)17 May 1920 Vilppula, Finland
Died	13 April 2019(2019-04-13) (aged 98) Tampere, Finland
Height	163 cm
Weight	61–62 kg
Sport
Sport	Cross-country skiing
Club	Tamperen Hiihtoseura
Medal record Women's cross-country skiing Representing  Finland Olympic Games Gold 1952 Oslo 10 km

Lydia Wideman (later Wideman-Lehtonen) was a famous cross-country skier from Finland. She made history by becoming the very first woman to win an Olympic medal in cross-country skiing. This amazing achievement happened at the 1952 Winter Olympics in Oslo, Norway.

In 1952, Lydia had an incredible year. She competed in thirteen 10-kilometer races and won every single one of them. This included her Olympic gold medal, national championships, and the well-known Lahti Ski Games.

Early Life and Family

Lydia Wideman was born on May 17, 1920, in Vilppula, Finland. She was one of ten children in her family. She even had a twin sister named Tyyne.

Skiing was a big part of her family's life. Many of her relatives were very good at cross-country skiing. Her sister Tyyne was also a talented skier. Tyyne won national championships between 1949 and 1951. She even beat Lydia in the 1951 championship.

Olympic Glory

Lydia Wideman's biggest moment came at the 1952 Winter Olympics. She was 31 years old when she competed. She won the gold medal in the women's 10-kilometer cross-country skiing event.

This victory was very special. It made her the first woman ever to win an Olympic medal in cross-country skiing. Her success helped pave the way for other female skiers.

A Lasting Legacy

Lydia Wideman lived a long life. In February 2018, she became the oldest living Olympic champion in the world. She passed away on April 13, 2019, at the age of 98.

Lydia Wideman will always be remembered as a pioneer in women's sports. She showed what dedication and talent can achieve.

See also

• In Spanish: Lydia Wideman para niños