Career
He was the Secretary General of the 1971 European Athletics Championships held in Helsinki. Valste retired from competitions in early 1930s. Between 1930 and 1935 he was a coach and from 1935 to 1960 the head coach of the Finnish athletics team, preparing it to the 1936, 1948, 1952, 1956 and 1960 Olympics, as well as other international competitions in between.
He then moved to administrative positions and was the Secretary General of the 1971 European Athletics Championships held in Helsinki.
In recognition to his contribution to athletics he was awarded the Order of the White Rose of Finland in 1964 and the IAAF Veteran Pin in 1976. The sports club Armas Valste Yleisurheiluklubi was established in his honor after his death.
Valste was a radio engineer by profession and an amateur radio station operator. Between 1927 and 1929 he worked as a professional broadcaster.
In 1960 he became an honorary member and in 1985 the honorary chairman of the Finnish Amateur Radio League.
