Career
She was selected as the Finnish female athlete of the year in 1954, 1956, 1958, and 1959. Rantanen worked as an upholsterer and continued competing in sports until her 80s.
bicycle racer cross-country skier athletics competitor
She was selected as the Finnish female athlete of the year in 1954, 1956, 1958, and 1959. Rantanen worked as an upholsterer and continued competing in sports until her 80s.
She competed in the 1952, 1956 and 1960 Olympics and won a medal in each of them: a gold and a bronze in the 3×5 km relay in 1956-1960 and another bronze in the individual 10 km in 1952. She placed 5th and 15th over 10 km in 1956 and 1960, respectively. She also won five medals at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships. Domestically Rantanen won six individual (10 km in 1954 and 1957-1958. 5 km in 1960–1962) and five relay titles (1952, 1958–1961). Rantanen also won three Finnish titles in athletics: one individual in cross-country running in 1960 and two in 1961, in the 3×800 m relay and team cross-country. The same year she also became the Finnish champion in the 50 km cycling road race.
