Martti Jukola

In addition to being an athlete Martti Jukola was a pioneer in Finnish radio where he reported on sports events and became a noted sports journalist. During the 1920s Jukola competed in track and field athletics for Turun Urheiluliitto in his hometown of Turku. At the Finnish athletics championships in won silver in the 400 metres hurdles from 1923 to 1926 and silver in the 110 metres hurdles in 1924. He also ran in the 400 metres hurdles at the Paris Olympics in 1924, where he reached the semi-finals.

In 1922 Jukola became the assistant editor of the popular weekly sports magazine Urheilulehti, eventually becoming the editor-in-chief of the publication in 1931. He then moved to Yle, Finland’s national publication broadcasting company, working as a commentator from 1931 to 1952. Whilst there Jukola became famous for his on-the-field reporting at sports events and for creating the foundations of Finnish radio commentary.

Personal Best: 400H – 55.4 (1926).