Eero Mäntyranta

Eero Antero Mäntyranta (20 November 1937 – 30 December 2013 ) was one of the most successful Finnish cross-country skiers. He competed in four Winter Olympics (1960–1972) winning seven medals at three of them. His performance at the 1964 Winter Olympics earned him the nickname "Mister Seefeld", referring to the venue where the cross-country skiing and biathlon competitions took place. The Finnish Ministry of Education endowed him with the Pro Urheilu letter of recognition in 2000. There is also a museum centered on Mäntyranta in his birthplace of Pello.

Genetics and doping

Mäntyranta had primary familial and congenital polycythemia (PFCP) causing an increase in red blood cell mass and hemoglobin due to a mutation in the erythropoietin receptor (EPOR) gene, which was identified following a DNA study that found the mutation in a high proportion of members of his extended family, as reported in 1993. The elevated hematocrit caused by the condition increases the ability of the blood to transport oxygen; the EPOR mutation is speculated to have contributed to Mäntyranta's remarkable endurance.

In 1972 Mäntyranta tested positive for amphetamine at a Finnish competition, becoming the first of his countrymen known to be caught doping.

Olympic Games 7 medals – (3 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze) Year Age 15 km 30 km 50 km 4 × 10 km relay 1960 22 6 — — Gold 1964 26 Gold Gold 9 Silver 1968 30 Silver Bronze 15 Bronze 1972 34 — 19 —

World Championships 5 medals – (2 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze) Year Age 15 km 30 km 50 km 4 × 10 km relay 1962 24 5 Gold— Silver 1966 28 6Gold Bronze Silver

Accomplishments National domestic championships: five gold, two silver and two bronze Holmenkollen ski festival championships first place 1962, 1964 and 1968 (15 km) Holmenkollen medal in 1964 (Shared with Veikko Kankkonen, Georg Thoma, and Halvor Næs.). Salpausselkä games win 1964 and 1972.