Lydia Wideman
Finnish cross-country skier (1920–2019)
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Lydia Wideman (later Wideman-Lehtonen, 17 May 1920 – 13 April 2019) was a cross-country skier from Finland and the first female Olympic medalist in cross-country skiing. In 1952 she competed in thirteen 10 km races and won all of them, including the 1952 Winter Olympics, national championships and Lahti Ski Games.[1]
 Wideman at the 1952 Olympics | |||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born | 17 May 1920 Vilppula, Finland | ||||||||||||||
| Died | 13 April 2019 (aged 98) Tampere, Finland | ||||||||||||||
| Height | 163 cm (5 ft 4 in) | ||||||||||||||
| Weight | 61–62 kg (134–137 lb) | ||||||||||||||
| Sport | |||||||||||||||
| Sport | Cross-country skiing | ||||||||||||||
| Club | Tampereen Hiihtoseura | ||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Wideman and her twin sister Tyyne were born in a family of ten siblings. Many members of her family were skilled cross-country skiers.[2] In particular, Tyyne won the national 10 km title in 1949–1951, beating Lydia in 1951, but retiring the same year.[3]
In February 2018, following the death of Durward Knowles, she became the oldest living Olympic champion.[4] She died on 13 April 2019, aged 98.[5][6]
Cross-country skiing results
All results are sourced from the International Ski Federation (FIS).[7]
