Matikainen, Marjo (1965–)

views updated

Matikainen, Marjo (1965–)

Finnish cross-country skier and politician. Name variations: Marjo Matikainen-Kallström or Kallstrom. Born Marjo Tuulevi Matikainen, Feb 3, 1965, in Lohja, Finland.

Won a bronze medal for the 4×5km relay at Sarajevo Olympics (1984); won gold, silver, and bronze medals in national cross-country skiing championships (1987, 1989); won a gold medal in the 5km cross-country event and bronze medals for the 10km and 4×5km relay at Calgary Olympics (1988); retired from competitive skiing to study engineering (1989); named vice-chair of Finnish Olympic Committee (2000); as a member of European People's Party (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats (EPP), elected to 4th and 5th European Parliament (1994–99, 1999–2004) and named vice-chair of Delegation to the European Economic Area Joint Parliamentary Committee (EEA). Awarded the Finnish Sports Gold Cross (1998).

More From encyclopedia.com