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Erika Salumäe

b. 1962

Estonian cyclist, sportsperson and politician (born 1962)

Sport cyclist Politician Sportsperson
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About Erika Salumäe

Born 1962. Erika Salumäe is an Estonian and Russian sport cyclist, politician, sportsperson and elite athlete.

Erika Salumäe (born 11 June 1962) is an Estonian track bicycle racer who won the first Olympic gold medal for Estonia in fifty-six years after the country regained independence in 1991.

Salumäe was born in Pärnu, Estonia. She trained at VSS Kalev in Tallinn. At the 1983 Summer Universiade she won two gold medals, in the women's sprint and women's 500 m time trial and the silver medal in the women's points race. Salumäe won the gold medal in track cycling at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, competing for the USSR team and in the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, competing for Estonia.

At World Championships from 1984 to 1989, she won 2 golds (1987 and 1989), 2 silvers (1984 and 1986) and 1 bronze (1995). From 1982 to 1989, she set 15 world records and was elected the Best Estonian Athlete in 1983, 1984, 1987–1990, 1992, 1995, and 1996.

In popular culture Salumäe is the subject of a 2026 biographical film, Our Erika , co-written and directed by German Golub. In the film, Salumäe is played by the Estonian actor .

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Education
Russian State University of Physical Education, Sport, Youth and Tourism
Positions held
Member of the Riigikogu
Awards
Honoured Master of Sports of the USSR; Estonian Athlete of the Year; Honorary citizen of Elva; Decoration of the Estonian Olympic Committee; Estonian Red Cross Order First Class

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Erika Salumäe's

Frequently asked questions

Who is Erika Salumäe?

Estonian cyclist, sportsperson and politician (born 1962)

When was Erika Salumäe born?

Erika Salumäe was born on 11 June 1962 in Pärnu.

What is Erika Salumäe's occupation?

Erika Salumäe is a sport cyclist, politician, sportsperson and elite athlete.

What nationality is Erika Salumäe?

Erika Salumäe is Estonian and Russian.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Erika Salumäe

· Wikidata: Q261471

· DBpedia: Erika Salumäe

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Erika Salumäe. https://biography.guide/erika-salumae/

MLA: "Erika Salumäe." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/erika-salumae/.

Chicago: "Erika Salumäe." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/erika-salumae/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-21 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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