Eino Saastamoinen graduated from Helsinki Normal Lyceum in 1907 and was a member of the Finnish gymnastics team that won silver behind Norway. in the free system at the 1912 Olympic Games In Stockholm, he was selected as the Finnish team’s flag bearer at the Opening Ceremony. In the following year, he completed his qualification as a gymnastics teacher. He started to teach gymnastics and health education at various schools before returning to his former school in 1915.
After working there for three years, Saastamoinen fought in the Finnish Civil War and participated in the capture of Helsinki by the White Guards. After the war, he joined the Finnish defence forces as a junior officer. From 1919-31, he served as an adjutant and gymnastics and fencing teacher at the cadet school. Subsequently, he was transferred to the Ministry of Defence as a major and senior officer. He also served as the ministry’s commander and adjutant to the Minister of Defence throughout the Winter War and the Continuation War. In 1946, shortly before his death, he was promoted to colonel.
Saastamoinen held positions in the Finnish Gymnastics and Sports Association and founded the Helsinki Netball Club as well as the Helsinki Fencing Club. He was also an avid choral singer and member of various choirs. From 1925-28, he was a member of the municipal council of Huopalahti, a municipality that was consolidated to Helsinki after World War II. In 1916, he married Tyyne Regina Vilhontytär Penttilä. The marriage remained childless.
Finland