Search from our page    Eesti keeles	Never-to-be-forgotten Estonians at the Olympic Games Through the history of the Olympic Games the small nation of the small country Estonia has been competing with dignity and often sensationally. Hereby we present a little overview of Estonian athletes at the Olympic Games during the Estonian Republic (1918-1940) and occupied Estonian SSR (1940-1991) when all the glory was received by the USSR but the victories were Ours in our hearts. During the years of the Estonian Republic 1918-1940 the most successful Estonian athletes were wrestlers. Kristjan Palusalu is the only man in the world who has won the greco-roman and the freestyle wrestling (heavyweight) at the same Olympic Games which was achieved at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. The 1980 Moscow Olympic Games were boycotted by number of countries, e.g. USA; China, Israel, West Germany etc., due to the USSR’s invasion of Afghanistan. The sailing events of the 1980 Summer Olympics were held in Tallinn, Pirita. The Tallinn Sailing Regatta was the very first time for the Olympics to be held in an occupied country. The buildings built (hotel “Olümpia”, central post office, Pirita yachting centre etc.) for the event are giving accent to sight of Tallinn to present day. The arrival of the olympic winners of the 1988 Seoul Olympics borught joy and more power to Estonia’s national movement for independence. Tõniste brothers (silver medallists in 470 class sailing), Erika Salumäe (track bicycle race) and Tiit Sokk (basketball) were not only olympic winners but they injected enthusiasm to our national self-determination and –consciousness. The 2008 Beijing Olympic Games have begun. The international sports event that has always been a kind of symbol of peace is once again being held in a country where human rights and small nations are being repressed. The Republic of Estonia is represented with biggest delegation so far. EFA 0-52432 Successful Estonian athletes after the 1920 Antwerp Olympics where Estonians as a nation competed for the very first time. Photo: Parikas 1920 EFA 0-44981 Alfred Neuland weightlifting (lightweight) olympic winner at the 1920 Antwerp Olympics and weightlifting (middleweight) silver medallist at the 1924 Paris Olympic Games. Photo: K. Raag EFA 0-40008 The Olympic Stadium of Colombes of the 1924 Paris Olympic Games. Photo: 1924 EFA 0-79305 Estonian students and athletes in Berlin during the 1936 Olympics. Photo: 1936 EFA 0-42615 Decathlete Uno Palu (4th in decathlon) giving autographs during the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. Photo: U. Palu 1956 EFA 0-68828 The olympic winners of 1500 m speed skaiting at the 1964 Innsbruck Olympics: Ants Antson (URS, Estonian), Cornelius Verkerk (NED) and Willy Haugen (NOR) at the rewarding ceremony. Photo: 1964 EFA 0-93658 Photos and articles published in international journalism about the 1968 Mexico Olymipcs weightlifting (middle-heavyweight) silver medallist Jaan Talts. Photo: V. Šandrin 1968 EFA 0-120226 Jaak Uudmäe triple jumping for gold at the 1980 Moscow Olympics. Photo: E. Tarkpea 1980 EFA 0-106732 Pulling up the olympic flag at the opening ceremony of the 1980 Moscow Olympics Tallinn Sailing Regatta at the Pirita Yachting Centre. Photo: I. Trapido 1980 EFA 0-94168 Weightlifting (heavyweight) olympic winner of the 1972 Munich Olympics Jaan Talts with his daughter and wife at Tallinn Airport. Photo: O. Vihandi 1972 EFA 765 ETA collection 100-kroon coin “100 years of Olympic Games“. Photo: L. Michelson 1996 [Back]
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