Ale Riipinen
Finnish artistic gymnast
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Heikki Aleksi "Ale" Riipinen (28 May 1883 – 13 February 1957) was a Finnish gymnast who won bronze in the 1908 Summer Olympics.[1]
| Ale Riipinen | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Riipinen in 1908 | |||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||
| Full name | Heikki Aleksi Riipinen | ||||||||||||||
| Born | 28 May 1883 Laukaa, Grand Duchy of Finland, Russian Empire | ||||||||||||||
| Died | 13 February 1957 (aged 73) Leppävaara, Finland | ||||||||||||||
| Spouse | Hilja Riipinen | ||||||||||||||
| Gymnastics career | |||||||||||||||
| Discipline | Men's artistic gymnastics | ||||||||||||||
Country represented |  Finland | ||||||||||||||
| Club | Ylioppilasvoimistelijat | ||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Gymnastics
| Games | Event | Rank | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1908 Summer Olympics | Men's team | 3rd | Source:[2] |
He won the Finnish national championship in team gymnastics as a member of Ylioppilasvoimistelijat in 1909.[3]
Career
He completed his matriculation exam at the Jyväskylä Classical Lyceum in 1903 and graduated as a physical education teacher in 1908.[4]
He worked as a school teacher in Lapua from 1908–1927, becoming also a rector. Then, he worked as a lecturer in Jyväskylä from 1927 to 1948. Finally, he returned to Lapua to teach until 1951.[4]
He also wrote on physical education and other subjects in Suomen Urheilulehti and other papers.[4]
He was the chairman of the state taxation board in Lapua in 1923–1927.[4]
Military
He served in the White Guard as a platoon leader and a company commander during the Finnish Civil War. He was a garrison commandant in the Finnish Defence Forces and a chief of office of a White Guard district during the Second World War. He reached the rank of lieutenant.[4]
Politics
He played a small part in initiating the namesake action of the Lapua Movement, although it is unknown if he actually participated in it.[5]
Accolades
He received the following honorary awards:
- Cross of Liberty, 4th Class
- The cross of merit of the Civil Guards
- Medals of the Finnish Civil War:
- The commemorative medal of the capture of Tampere
- The Vilppula cross
- Decorations of the heimosodat:
- The commemorative medal of Carelia
He is also an honorary member of several clubs and associations.[4]
