Sylvi Saimo

Sylvi Saimo
Saimo at the 1952 Olympics
Personal information
Born12 November 1914
Jaakkima, Finland
Died12 March 2004 (aged 89)
Laukaa, Finland
Height170 cm (5 ft 7 in)
Weight59–62 kg (130–137 lb)
Sport
SportCanoe sprint
Medal record
Representing  Finland
Olympic Games
1952 Helsinki K-1 500 m
World Championships
1950 Copenhagen K-1 500 m
1950 Copenhagen K-2 500 m

Sylvi Riitta Saimo (née Sikiö, 12 November 1914 – 12 March 2004) was a Finnish sprint canoeist and politician. She was the first female Finnish Olympic Champion at the Summer Olympics, winning a gold medal in K-1 500 m at the 1952 Summer Olympics. She also competed in cross-country skiing, athletics and orienteering. She was a member of the Finnish Parliament from 1966 to 1978.