Photo: Lax—CC BY-SA 4.0
Heli Rantanen
- Born
- Feb 26, 1970 (56 years old)
- Birthplace
- Lammi, Finland
- Events
- Javelin Throw
- Height
- 1.74 m
- Weight
- 69 kg
Heli Orvokki Rantanen (born 26 February 1970) is a retired Finnish track and field athlete who competed in the javelin throw. She won the gold medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics, setting a new personal best of 67.94 in the first round. She is the first Nordic woman to become an Olympic Champion in athletics.
Personal best · Javelin Throw61.61
2002 season best45.91Jul 21, 2002 · Joensuu
Medals2Olympic Games: 2 gold
Last competitionFinnish ChampionshipsJul 21, 2002 · 45.91
As of Nov 1, 2026: Javelin Throw 61.61 (#154 all-time), 2002 season best 45.91 (Jul 21, 2002, Joensuu (FIN)) · Last competition: Finnish Championships, Jul 21, 2002, 45.91 · Olympic Games: 2 gold · 56 years old
Personal bests
WA points calculator →Medals
| Competitions | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olympic Games | 2 | – | – | 2 |
Progression
| Season | Discipline | Result | Wind | Date | Competitions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | JT | 45.91 | – | Jul 21, 2002 | Finnish Championships |
| 2001 | JT | 56.19 | – | Jul 15, 2001 | Vaasa (FIN) |
| 2000 | JT | 60.98 | – | Jul 23, 2000 | Pihtipudas (FIN) |
| 1999 | JT | 61.61 | – | Jun 26, 1999 | Kuortane (FIN) |
| 1998 | JT | 60.90 | – | Aug 22, 1998 | Budapest European Championships, Népstadion, Budapest |
| 1998 | JavelinThr | 63.60 | – | Aug 30, 1998 | Helsinki (FIN) |
| 1997 | JavelinThr | 65.14 | – | Aug 22, 1997 | Bruxelles (BEL) |
| 1997 | JT | 65.14 | – | Aug 22, 1997 | Bruxelles (BEL) |