Eero Mäntyranta

Eero Antero Mäntyranta was one of the most successful Finnish cross-country skiers. He competed in four Winter Olympics winning seven medals at three of them. His performance at the 1964 Winter Olympics earned him the nickname "Mister Seefeld", referring to the venue where the cross-country skiing and biathlon competitions took place. The Finnish Ministry of Education endowed him with the Pro Urheilu letter of recognition in 2000. There is also a museum centered on Mäntyranta in his birthplace of Pello.

Genetics and doping

Mäntyranta had primary familial and congenital polycythemia causing an increase in red blood cell mass and hemoglobin due to a mutation in the erythropoietin receptor gene, which was identified following a DNA study that found the mutation in a high proportion of members of his extended family, as reported in 1993. The elevated hematocrit caused by the condition increases the ability of the blood to transport oxygen; the EPOR mutation is speculated to have contributed to Mäntyranta's remarkable endurance.
In 1972 Mäntyranta tested positive for amphetamine at a Finnish competition, becoming the first of his countrymen known to be caught doping. He later admitted taking hormones, which were not yet prohibited.

All results are sourced from the International Ski Federation (FIS).

Year	Age	15 km	30 km	50 km	4 × 10 km relay
1960	22	6	—	—	Gold
[Cross-country skiing at the Cross-country skiing at the 1964 Winter Olympics\|1964 Winter Olympics\|1964]	26	Gold	Gold	9	Silver
[Cross-country skiing at the Cross-country skiing at the 1968 Winter Olympics\|1968 Winter Olympics\|1968]	30	Silver	Bronze	15	Bronze
1972	34	—	19	[Cross-country skiing at the 1972 Winter Olympics – Men's 50 kilometre\|]	—