About Arto Bryggare
Arto Kalervo Bryggare (born 26 May 1958) is a Finnish former hurdling athlete. He was a member of the Parliament of Finland, representing the Social Democratic Party of Finland from 1995 to 1999 and 2003 to 2007. His personal best time 13.35, made during trials in 1984 Los Angeles Games, is still the record time in Finland and in Nordic countries. Bryggare made Finnish history by becoming the first Finn to medal in a sprint event shorter than 400 metres. == Biography == Bryggare, who was born in Kouvola, was the finest ever Finnish high hurdler, winning medals in almost every major championship he competed. In 1977, at only 18 years of age, he took the bronze over 60 m hurdles at the European Indoor Championships and later that year he became European Junior champion at 110 m hurdles. After such start that rocketed him to the European hurdling elite, he continued to improve and next year he was for the first time amongst the top ten high-hurdlers in the World with a time of 13.56 secs, which earned him bronze medal at the European Championships held in Prague. Bryggare began 1979 strongly, finishing second at European Indoors beaten only by the best European high-hurdler in 70's, Thomas Munkelt from East Germany. At the 1980 Olympic Games held in Moscow, Bryggare easily advanced in the final of 110 m h, but was unable to produce fast time and finished far from medals at 6th place. He continued improving and started 1981 with winning his first European Indoor title when he was winner over 50 m hurdles at championships held in Grenoble.
Biography source: Wikipedia. The profile adds birthday-specific historical context from the Celebs Birthday Today editorial database.