Kolehmainen competed for a number of years in the United States, wearing the Winged Fist of the Irish American Athletic Club.

[3] Kolehmainen, a devoted vegetarian[2] and bricklayer by trade,[3] was from a sportive family from Kuopio – his brothers William and Tatu were also strong long-distance runners.

[4][5][6] Hannes was one of the stars of the 1912 Summer Olympics in Stockholm, winning three gold medals.

After leading the field together for most of the race, Bouin was only defeated by Kolehmainen in the final metres, in world record time.

[7] Kolehmainen's sportive career was interrupted by the First World War, but he remained an athlete to be reckoned with, although his specialty had now shifted to the longer distances, especially the marathon.