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Lydia Wideman facts for kids

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Lydia Wideman 1952.jpg
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, 17 May 1920 – 13 April 2019) was a cross-country skier from Finland and the first female Olympic medalist in cross-country skiing. In 1952 she competed in thirteen 10 km races and won all of them, including the 1952 Winter Olympics, national championships and Lahti Ski Games.

Wideman and her twin sister Tyyne were born in a family of ten siblings. Many members of her family were skilled cross-country skiers. In particular, Tyyne won the national 10 km title in 1949–1951, beating Lydia in 1951, but retiring the same year.

In February 2018, following the death of Durward Knowles, she became the oldest living Olympic champion. She died on 13 April 2019, aged 98.

Cross-country skiing results

All results are sourced from the International Ski Federation (FIS).

Olympic Games

 Year   Age   10 km 
1952 31 Gold

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Lydia Wideman para niños

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