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SWIMMING
Finnish swimmers have taken part at every Olympic Games since London 1908. The first Finnish swimmer to win an Olympic
medal was Arvo Aaltonen, who took bronze in both 200 and 400 metres breaststroke in Antwerp 1920. Seventy-two years
later Antti Kasvio won the next Olympic medal, bronze in 200 metres freestyle in Barcelona 1992. At the next Games in Atlanta
Jani Sievinen took silver in men’s 200 metres medley. In women’s swimming Finland’s best Olympic achievements so far are
two fourth places: by Eila Pyrhönen in 100 metres butterfly in Tokyo 1964 and Hanna-Maria Seppälä in 100 metres freestyle
in Beijing 2008.
MEN
Matias Koski
* 18 May 1994 Hämeenlinna
Present residence: Johns Creek, Georgia (USA)
195 cm, 93 kg
Club: University of Georgia (USA)
Coaches: Jack Bauerle, Harvey Humphries
Events: 200 m freestyle, 400 m freestyle
Matias Koski has lived in the United States since the age of three but represents the homeland of his parents in
international competitions. In 2011 he won the U.S. junior championship title in 800 metres freestyle and swam
for Finland at the European Junior Championships, finishing sixth in 200 metres freestyle. In the following year he
went to the University of Georgia after making his Olympic debut in London. Matias won the 1,650 yards freestyle
event at the NCAA Championships of 2015 and took silver in 200 yards in 2016. In May 2016 he finished fourth in
200 metres at the European Championships in London. Matias used to compete in all freestyle distances from 200
metres up, but he aims to make the 200 metres his main event in the future.
PREVIOUS OLYMPIC GAMES:
2012 31st 200m free, 22nd 400m free, 27th 1500m free.
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS:
2011 EurJunCh 19th 100m free, 6th 200m free, 8th 400m free, 9th 1500m free.
2013 WCh 30th 200m free, 17th 400m free, 9th 800m free, 15th 1500m free. EurShCh 63rd 200m free,
30th 400m free, 27th 1500m free.
2014 EurCh 10th 200m free, 12th 400m free, 19th 800m free.
2015 WCh 47th 200m free, 40th 400m free, 31st 800m free.
2016 EurCh 4th 200m free, 11th 400m free, 24th 100m free.
PERSONAL BESTS:
200m freestyle: 1.46:98 (2016)
400m freestyle: 3.49:37 (2015)