Finland

Exciting sporting facts

Rubber boot throwing competition
Believe it or not, the Finns invented the throwing of rubber boots as a sport! There are about 30 "Rubber Boot Throwing Clubs" all across the country, with something like 2,000 members. However, people from other countries such as Germany throw rubber boots competitively too, and since 1992 there has been a World Championship every year.
Just like any other sport, rubber boot throwing has certain rules. Men are only allowed to throw size 9 boots, whereas women can only throw size 5. The boots must not weigh more than 1 kilogram and the leg must not be higher than 44 centimetres. The boot has to be thrown with a stretched arm, with the thumb gripping the back of the leg and the index and middle fingers holding the front. Prior to throwing, the athletes are allowed to turn several times on their own axis, just like discus throwers.

Nordic Walking
Cross-country walking with ski sticks but without skis or snow is getting ever more popular. The first ski stick for cross-country walking was introduced in America in 1992. When in 1997 new special sticks were developed for the summer training of the Finnish cross-country skiing team, "Nordic Walking" (or "Sauvakävely", as Finnish people call it) became a popular sport. It is now being offered by walking clubs, fitness centres, holiday resorts and wellness hotels.

The longest walk ever…
…was completed by Johnny Salo from Finland, who covered the entire 5,850 kilometres from New York to Los Angeles within 79 days. Between 31st March and 17th June 1929 he walked for 525 hours, 57 minutes and 20 seconds, at an average speed of 11.12 km/h.

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