Toivo Loukola was a promising high jumper as a youth, but after beginning work with the Helsinki Police Force he switched to steeplechase in 1923. Loukola bettered the 3,000 m steeplechase unofficial world record, running 9:25.2, just a month before the 1928 Olympic Games. At Amsterdam, Loukola first finished seventh in the 10K and then easily won his steeplechase heat. In the final the favorites were the Finnish threesome of Paavo Nurmi, Ville Ritola and Loukola, although Nurmi and Ritola were tired from having run the 5,000 metres the previous day. Ritola was a non-factor, and at 2,000 m, when Nurmi had trouble with the hurdles, Loukola attacked and opened a 30 m gap on the field, holding that to the finish, as he won in a world best of 9:21.8, almost 10 seconds clear of Nurmi. Domestically, Loukola won 11 Finnish titles – 5,000 m in 1928-29; 10,000 m in 1928-29, 1932 and 1936; and steeplechase in 1928-32. Loukola worked as a policeman as a career.
Personal Bests: 10000 – 31:12.9 (1929); 3000S – 9:21.8 (1928).
Finland