Olavi Salonen (born 20 December 1933) is a Finnish athlete.

Salonen participated the Summer Olympic Games in 1500 m. in 1960 and 1964.

At the European Athletics Championships he competed twice on 800 metres, 1958 and 1962 On 11 July 1957 Salonen ran a 1500-metre race in Turku.

He finished second with the same world record time 3:40.2 as the winner Olavi Salsola.

Czech runner Stanislav Jungwirth ran 3:38.1 on the next day at Stará Boleslav.