Seppo Räty

Seppo Räty

Personal information

Full name

Seppo Henrik Räty

Nickname(s)

Tohmajärven karhu
Tohmajärven tykki

Nationality

Finnish

Born

27 April 1962 (age 61)
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

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.^[1]

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