Toini Gustafsson facts for kids

Toini Gustafsson Rönnlund in 2014
Country	Sweden
Full name	Toini Lempi Gustafsson Rönnlund
Born	(1938-01-17) 17 January 1938 (age 87) Suomussalmi, Kainuu, Finland
Height	162 cm (5 ft 4 in)
Ski club	IFK Likenäs Skellefteå SK
Quick facts for kids Medal record Women's cross-country skiing Representing  Sweden Event 1st 2nd 3rd Olympic Games 2 2 0 World Championships 0 1 2 Total 2 3 2 Olympic Games Gold 1968 Grenoble 5 km Gold 1968 Grenoble 10 km Silver 1964 Innsbruck 3 × 5 km relay Silver 1968 Grenoble 3 × 5 km relay World Championships Silver 1962 Zakopane 3 × 5 km relay Bronze 1966 Oslo 10 km Bronze 1966 Oslo 3 × 5 km relay

Toini Gustafsson Rönnlund, born Toini Karvonen on January 17, 1938, is a famous Swedish cross-country skier. She is known for winning many medals in big competitions. Toini competed in the Winter Olympics and World Championships, showing great skill on her skis.

Early Life and Moving to Sweden

Toini was born in Suomussalmi, Finland. When she was six years old, in 1944, she moved to Sweden. This happened during a time of war, and she was one of many Finnish children who found safety in Sweden.

A Champion Skier

Toini Gustafsson Rönnlund became a very successful cross-country skier. She competed in the Winter Olympics twice, in 1964 and 1968. She won four medals in total at these games.

Olympic Success

At the 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble, France, Toini won two gold medals. She was the best in both the 5-kilometer and 10-kilometer races. She also won two silver medals in the 3 × 5 kilometer relay race, one in 1964 and another in 1968.

World Championship Medals

Toini also did very well at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships. She won three medals there. In 1962, she earned a silver medal in the 3 × 5 kilometer relay. In 1966, she won two bronze medals, one for the 10-kilometer race and another for the 3 × 5 kilometer relay.

Holmenkollen and Other Awards

Toini was also a three-time winner of the 10-kilometer race at the famous Holmenkollen ski festival in Norway. She won in 1960, 1967, and 1968. For her amazing achievements, she received the Holmenkollen medal in 1967. This was a special award, and she was the first Swedish woman to ever receive it. In 1968, she also won the Svenska Dagbladet Gold Medal, another very important award in Sweden.

Family Life

Toini Gustafsson Rönnlund has a daughter named Eva, who was born in 1956. Later, she married another famous Swedish cross-country skier, Assar Rönnlund. Together, they had two more children. Toini and Assar were a unique couple because they both won the Holmenkollen medal and the Svenska Dagbladet Gold Medal. Assar received his Holmenkollen medal in 1968.

After Skiing

Toini stopped competing in skiing in 1968. After her skiing career, she worked as a physical education teacher. Her granddaughter, Elina Rönnlund, has also become a cross-country skier, following in Toini's footsteps.

Cross-country skiing results

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

Olympic Games

• 4 medals – (2 gold, 2 silver)

World Championships

• 3 medals – (1 silver, 2 bronze)