Seppo Räty

Seppo Henrik Räty (born 27 April 1962) is a retired Finnish track and field athlete who competed in the javelin throw. He was a World Champion, having won gold in 1987. He was also an Olympic medalist (silver in 1992, bronze in 1988 and 1996). He was nicknamed Tohmajärven karhu ("The Bear of Tohmajärvi") and Tohmajärven tykki ("The Cannon of Tohmajärvi").

His personal best throw of 96.96 m, set in 1991, was one of his two world records with the "new javelin" at the time, however this throw was made using a "Nemeth" javelin that was banned by the IAAF later that year. All records made using this javelin were retrospectively deleted as from 20.9.1991 but remain ratified world records recognised by the IAAF. His best throw with the current javelin is 90.60 m, achieved in 1992.

While in the process of winning the 1987 World Championships, Räty was the subject of an often repeated video of failure. Räty tripped on the runway, his javelin throw sticking in the runway about 30 cm short of the foul line. While an embarrassing throw for negative gain, in fact since he had not crossed the line it did not even count as a foul.

After retiring, Räty became a coach. He currently (2008) mentors another javelin thrower from Northern Karelia, Oona Sormunen.

Seasonal bests by year 1986 - 81.72 1987 - 83.54 1988 - 83.26 1989 - 83.92 1990 - 86.92 1991 - 96.96 (modified javelin) 1992 - 90.60 1993 - 85.68 1994 - 85.22 1995 - 87.68 1996 - 86.98 1997 - 82.22 1998 - 75.14 1999 - 79.47