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").

Seppo Räty

Personal information
Full name	Seppo Henrik Räty
Nickname(s)	Tohmajärven karhu Tohmajärven tykki
Nationality	Finnish
Born	(1962-04-27) 27 April 1962 Helsinki, Finland
Years active	1987-1997
Height	1.89 m (6 ft 2 in)
Weight	102 kg (225 lb)
Sport
Country	Finland (1987-1997)
Sport	Track and field
Event	Javelin throw
Achievements and titles
Olympic finals	1988 Seoul: Javelin throw; Bronze 1992 Barcelona: Javelin throw; Silver 1996 Atlanta: Javelin throw; Bronze
World finals	1987 Rome: Javelin throw; Gold 1991 Tokyo: Javelin throw; Silver
Personal best	90.60 m (1992)
Medal record Men's Athletics Representing Finland Olympic Games 1992 Barcelona Javelin 1988 Seoul Javelin 1996 Atlanta Javelin World Championships 1987 Rome Javelin 1991 Tokyo Javelin European Athletics Championships 1994 Helsinki Javelin

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 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

External links

• Seppo Räty at World Athletics
• Seppo Räty at Olympics at Sports-Reference.com (archived)