Biography
Hakulinen was born in Kurkijoki (now part of the Republic of Karelia), Viipuri Province and died in Valkeakoski after a traffic accident.
Sports teams Hakulinen has represented in his career include Asikkalan Raikas, Valkeakosken Haka, Jämsänkosken Ilves, Evon Metsäpojat, Tampereen Hiihtoseura, Tampereen Pyrintö and Tampereen Maila.
In the 1952 Winter Olympics, Hakulinen won the 50 km gold with the legendary and memorable time of 3:33.33. Finland also won gold in the 4 x 10 km relay, ahead of Norway, but Hakulinen was not on the team (which had Heikki Hasu, Paavo Lonkila, Urpo Korhonen, and Tapio Mäkelä). Hakulinen was however on Finland's winning relay team in the 1960 Winter Olympics, and won the 30 km gold in the 1956 Winter Olympics. His fourth Olympics were the 1964 Winter Olympics, where he competed as a biathloner.
In Finland, Hakulinen was chosen sports personality of the year in the years 1952, 1953, 1954 and 1960. He was decorated with the Pro Urheilu letter of recognition 2000.
Hakulinen also won the 50 km at the Holmenkollen ski festival twice (1953 and 1955), the 18 km (1953) and the 15 km (1957). For his efforts in cross-country skiing, Hakulinen was awarded the Holmenkollen medal in 1955 (shared with King Haakon VII, Hallgeir Brenden, and Sverre Stenersen).
Hakulinen's military rank was sergeant. He died in Tampere in a car accident on 24 October 2003.
Read more about this topic: Veikko Hakulinen
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