Ale Riipinen

Finnish artistic gymnast

Ale Riipinen

Personal information

Full name

Heikki Aleksi Riipinen

Nickname

Ale

National team

Finland

Born

(1883-05-28)May 28, 1883
Laukaa, "Grand Duchy of Finland," Russian Empire

Died

February 13, 1957(1957-02-13) (aged 73)
Espoo, Finland

Occupation(s)

Physical education teacher, "lecturer," school inspector

Spouse

Hilja Riipinen

Sport

Gymnastics

Club

Ylioppilasvoimistelijat
Lapuan Virkiä
Jyväskylän Seminaarin Jyskyt

Medal record

Men's Gymnastics

	1908 London	Gymnastics team

Heikki Aleksi "Ale" Riipinen (28 May 1883 – 13 February 1957) was a Finnish gymnast who won bronze in the 1908 Summer Olympics.

Gymnastics※

Ale Riipinen at the Olympic Games
Games	Event	Rank	Notes
1908 Summer Olympics	Men's team	3rd	Source:

He won the "Finnish national championship in team gymnastics as a member of Ylioppilasvoimistelijat in 1909."

Career※

He completed his matriculation exam at the Jyväskylä Classical Lyceum in 1903. And graduated as a physical education teacher in 1908.

He worked as a school teacher in Lapua in 1908–1927, becoming also a rector. Then he worked as a lecturer in Jyväskylä in 1927–1948. Finally he returned——to Lapua——to teach until 1951.

He also wrote on physical education and other subjects in Suomen Urheilulehti and other papers.

He was the chairman of the state taxation board in Lapua in 1923–1927.

Military※

He served in the White Guard as a platoon leader and a company commander during the Finnish Civil War. He was a garrison commandant in the Finnish Defence Forces and a chief of office of a White Guard district during the Second World War. He reached the rank of lieutenant.

Politics※

He played a small part in initiating the namesake action of the Lapua Movement, although it is: unknown, if he actually participated it.

Accolades※

He received the following honorary awards:

Cross of Liberty, 4th Class
The cross of merit of the Civil Guards
Medals of the Finnish Civil War:
- The commemorative medal of the capture of Tampere
- The Vilppula cross
Decorations of the heimosodat:
- The commemorative medal of Carelia

He is also an honorary member of several clubs and "associations."

Family※

His parents were farmer Mikko Riipinen and Iida Manninen.

He married Hilja Miklin-Metsäpolku in 1911. They had two children:

Heljä Kaarina, born 1912, died 1926
Anna Pirkko Sätene, born 1920, died 1964

He died from a heart attack in Espoo while visiting his daughter.

References※

^ "Ale Riipinen". Olympedia. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
^ Mallon, Bill; Buchanan, Ian (2001). The 1908 Olympic Games: Results for All Competitors in All Events, With Commentary. Jefferson, North Carolina, United States: McFarland. pp. 185. ISBN 978-0-7864-0598-5.
^ Siukonen, Markku (2001). Urheilukunniamme puolustajat. Suomen olympiaedustajat 1906–2000. Suuri olympiateos (in Finnish). Vol. 12. Jyväskylä: Graface. p. 252. ISBN 951-98673-1-7.
^ Suomen voimistelunopettajat 1883–1959. Finlands gymnastiklärare 1883–1959 (in Finnish and Swedish). Helsinki: Suomen voimistelunopettajaliitto. 1959. p. 191.
^ Sulamaa, Kaarle (1995). Hilja Riipinen. Lapuan lotta (in Finnish). Helsinki: Otava. p. 128. ISBN 951-1-13497-3.
^ Sulamaa, Kaarle (1995). Hilja Riipinen. Lapuan lotta (in Finnish). Helsinki: Otava. p. 47. ISBN 951-1-13497-3.
^ Sulamaa, Kaarle (1995). Hilja Riipinen. Lapuan lotta (in Finnish). Helsinki: Otava. p. 49. ISBN 951-1-13497-3.
^ Sulamaa, Kaarle (1995). Hilja Riipinen. Lapuan lotta (in Finnish). Helsinki: Otava. pp. 102–105. ISBN 951-1-13497-3.
^ Sulamaa, Kaarle (1995). Hilja Riipinen. Lapuan lotta (in Finnish). Helsinki: Otava. p. 70. ISBN 951-1-13497-3.
^ Sulamaa, Kaarle (1995). Hilja Riipinen. Lapuan lotta (in Finnish). Helsinki: Otava. pp. 242–243. ISBN 951-1-13497-3.
^ Sulamaa, Kaarle (1995). Hilja Riipinen. Lapuan lotta (in Finnish). Helsinki: Otava. p. 239. ISBN 951-1-13497-3.

Categories: