About Harri Larva
Lived 1906 – 1980 (aged 74). Harri Larva was a Finnish middle-distance runner and athletics competitor.
Harry Edvin "Harri" Larva (born Lagerström; 9 September 1906 – 15 November 1980) was a Finnish athlete who won the 1500 m race at the 1928 Summer Olympics. He never excelled in this event nationally and was the Finnish champion in the 800 m in 1928–1930 and 1934. Larva finished 10th in the 1500 m at the 1932 Summer Olympics.
Larva was requested to change his last name in 1928 by Urho Kekkonen, then president of Finnish Athletics Union and later president of Finland, who thought that his birth name Lagerström did not sound Finnish enough.
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Important facts
People in Harri Larva's life
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Contemporaries
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Harri Larva?
Finnish middle distance runner (1906–1980)
When was Harri Larva born?
Harri Larva was born on 9 September 1906 in Turku.
When did Harri Larva die?
Harri Larva died on 15 November 1980 in Turku.
What was Harri Larva's occupation?
Harri Larva was a middle-distance runner and athletics competitor.
What nationality was Harri Larva?
Harri Larva was Finnish.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Harri Larva. https://biography.guide/harri-larva/
MLA: "Harri Larva." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/harri-larva/.
Chicago: "Harri Larva." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/harri-larva/.
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