Elmer Niklander

Elmer Niklander

Elmer Niklander at the 1912 Olympics
Personal information
Born	19 January 1890 Rutajärvi, Hausjärvi, Finland
Died	12 November 1942 (aged 52) Helsinki, Finland
Height	1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Weight	79 kg (174 lb)
Sport
Sport	Athletics
Event(s)	Discus throw, hammer throw, javelin throw, shot put
Club	Helsingin Reipas, Helsinki
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)	DT – 47.18 m (1916) HT – 47.57 m (1916) JT – 54.19 m (1916) SP – 14.86 m (1913)
Medal record Representing Olympic Games 1912 Stockholm Two-handed discus throw 1912 Stockholm Two-handed shot put 1920 Antwerp Discus throw 1920 Antwerp Shot put

Elmer Konstantin Niklander (19 January 1890 – 12 November 1942) was a Finnish athlete who competed in discus throw and shot put at the 1908, 1912, 1920 and 1924 Olympics. In 1924 he also served as the Olympic flag bearer for Finland.

Niklander finished outside of the podium in 1908 and 1924 and won his first two medals in 1912, a silver in two-handed discus throw and a bronze in the two-handed shot put. In those two-handed throwing events the total was counted as a sum of best throws with a right hand and with a left hand. He finished fourth in the conventional discus throw and shot put. After having his career hampered by the First World War, he made a strong return at the 1920 Summer Olympics by winning gold in the discus throw and silver in the shot put.

Niklander, nicknamed "Oitin kanuuna" ("Cannon from Oitti"), became an Olympic athlete through practice in his home yard and by taking part in athletic competitions arranged by the local fire department. He won 44 national titles in various weight throwing events between 1909 and 1924.