Antti Loikkanen

Career

Loikkanen was one of Finland"s most successful 800 meter and 1500 meter runners in the beginning of the 1980s. His best result in outdoor track competitions was a 5th place in the 1500 metres race in the 1978 European Championships in Athletics in Prague. Loikkanen also participated in the Olympic Games in Montreal 1976, Moscow 1980 and Los Angeles 1984 and in the 1983 World Championships in Athletics in Helsinki.

In 1500 metres Loikkanen ran on June 16, 1980 at Imatra, Finland in 3:36.3, which remains a Finnish record.

In the 800 metres, Loikkanen"s record was 1:47.1, which he ran on June 12, 1979 at Imatra. Loikkanen ran his record in the 3000 metres on June 21, 1982 in Tampere.

His time, 7:46.87, is the 6th fastest Finnish time for the distance. After his sports career, Loikkanen has worked as a firefighter.

Achievements

• His greatest achievements were in indoor athletics competitions. Loikkanen was the Finnish champion in 800 metres in 1979 and in the 1500 metres in 1980. In indoor competitions, he won the 1500 metres (in 1978), the 800 metres (1981) and the 1500 metres (1985). In the 1978 European Indoor Championships in Athletics in Milan, Loikkanen won gold with a national record time of 3:38.16. He won bronze in the same event at the 1982 and 1983 Championships, was 4th in 1979 and 1984, and 6th in 1985.