- Alexander Stubb
Alexander Stubb (born on 1 April 1968 in Helsinki) is a Finnish politician and Member of the European Parliament with the National Coalition Party, part of the European People's Party and sits on the European Parliament's Committee on Budgetary Control and its Committee on Constitutional Affairs. He received the second highest number of votes of any parliamentarian in the 2004 EU election (115,224 votes).
- Saku Koivu
Saku Antero Koivu (born November 23, 1974 in Turku, Finland) is a professional ice hockey player, and plays centre for the Montreal Canadiens as the current team captain.
- Paavo Väyrynen
Paavo Matti Väyrynen is a Finnish veteran politician of the Centre Party. He is currently Minister for Foreign Trade and Development in Matti Vanhanen's second cabinet. Väyrynen is a former Member of the European Parliament, Member of the Bureau of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe and sat on the European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs. Väyrynen is a substitute for the Committee on Regional Development, …
- Paavo Nurmi
Paavo Johannes Nurmi (June 13, 1897 Turku - October 2, 1973 Helsinki) was a Finnish runner. He was known as one of the "Flying Finns"; a term given to him, Hannes Kolehmainen, Ville Ritola and others for their distinction in running. During the 1920s, Nurmi was the best middle and long distance runner in the world, setting world records on distances between 1500 m and 20 km.
- Janne Ahonen
Janne Petteri Ahonen (born May 11, 1977 in Lahti, Finland) is a Finnish ski jumper. His achievements include individual World Championships in 1997 (normal hill) and 2005 (large hill), first place in the World Cup in 2003–2004 and 2004–2005, and first place in the Four Hills Tournament in 1998–99, 2002–2003, 2004–2005 and 2005–2006. With these four wins he ties the record with Jens Weissflog.
- Olli Jokinen
Olli Jokinen (born December 5, 1978 in Kuopio, Finland) is a professional ice hockey centre. He has been the captain of the Florida Panthers since 2003, and broke the team record for most game-winning goals (24) on October 21, 2006. The record was previously held by Pavel Bure. Jokinen was selected by the Los Angeles Kings in the first round of the 1997 NHL Entry Draft as the 3rd overall pick. He played parts of two seasons for the Kings after coming across from Europe, …
- Mikko Koivu
Mikko Koivu (born March 12 1983 in Turku, Finland) is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward.
- Matti Nykänen
Matti Ensio Nykänen (born July 17, 1963 in Jyväskylä, Finland) is a Finnish former ski jumper, and was arguably the best in that sport, winning five Olympic medals (four Golds), nine World championships medals (five Golds) and 22 Finnish championships medals (13 Golds). Since the 1990s, however, his status as a celebrity has mainly been fueled not by his sport achievements, but instead by his colourful personal relationships, his career as a singer, …
- Teppo Numminen
Teppo Numminen is a hockey defenceman born in Tampere, Finland on July 3, 1968. Numminen started his career with his local team Tappara, but has been playing in the NHL since 1988. He played in the NHL All-Star Game in both 1999 and 2000 and has won two silver medals ('88 & '06) and a bronze ('98) playing with the Finnish Olympic Team. Currently plays for the Buffalo Sabres. Numminen's nickname is Repo Man.
- Jörn Donner
Jörn Johan Donner, is a Finnish writer, film director, actor, producer, politician, a member of the Donner family and the founder of Finnish Film Archive. He has been associated with several different political parties, and has at different times been a member both of the Finnish parliament and the European Parliament. As of 2007 he is again a member of the Finnish parliament, after Eva Biaudet resigned to take a position at the OSCE.
- Jarkko Ruutu
Jarkko Ruutu (born August 23, 1975 in Vantaa, Finland) is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward for the Pittsburgh Penguins. He is the older brother of Mikko and Tuomo Ruutu. In summer 2006 it was announced that Ruutu and his longtime girlfriend, Finnish model Niina Kurkinen, are engaged.
- Teemu Selänne
Teemu Ilmari Selänne (the "Finnish Flash") (born July 3, 1970 in Helsinki, Finland), is a professional Finnish ice hockey right winger currently a free agent. Selänne was originally drafted into the NHL by the Winnipeg Jets in the 1st round, 10th overall in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft.
- Jussi Jokinen
Jussi Jokinen (born April 1, 1983 in Kalajoki, Finland) is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward currently playing for the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League. Jussi is well know for being a shootout specialist. He can be seen pulling some unique dekes, such as the one handed slide in goal -- also known as "The Paralyzer" -- in shootouts to help his team. He set an NHL record by scoring in 9 straight overtime shootout attempts in the 2005-2006 NHL season.
- Markku Koski
Markku Koski (born October 15, 1981) is a professional snowboarder from Sievi, Finland. He is well known within the snowboarding community for his consistent showing in half-pipe competitions and for his video parts with Standard Films. He is often cited as being one of the top 5 professional snowboarders in the world. He is notable within the landscape of professional snowboarders because he does not have an easily definable image within the sport.
- Jere Lehtinen
Jere Lehtinen (born June 24, 1973 in Espoo, Finland) is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward. He plays as a right winger.
- Heidi Hautala
Heidi Anneli Hautala (born 14 November 1955 in Oulu) is a Finnish politician. She was the leader of the Finnish Green Party in 1987-1991, and a presidential candidate in 2000 and 2006. She was a member of the national parliament from 1991 to 1995. After Finland joined the European Union (EU) in 1995, she was elected to the European Parliament. She returned to the national Parliament in the elections of 2003.
- Virpi Kuitunen
Virpi Kuitunen (born May 20, 1976 in Kangasniemi) is a Finnish cross country skier who has competed since 1995. She won a bronze medal in the team sprint event (with Aino Kaisa Saarinen) at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin and earned her best individual finish of 5th in the individual sprint event in those same games. Kuitunen has six medals at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships with four golds (2001: 5 km + 5 km combined pursuit, 2007: Team sprint, …
- Petteri Nummelin
Petteri Nummelin (born November 25, 1972 in Turku, Finland) is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League. He was drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets as their fifth-round pick, #133 overall, in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft. Nummelin has represented Finland numerous times in international play, including the 1995 Ice Hockey World Championships where Finland won their only gold medal to date.
- Ville Peltonen
Ville Peltonen (born May 24, 1973 in Vantaa, Finland) is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward. He was drafted by the San Jose Sharks as their third-round pick, #58 overall, in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft
- Kimmo Timonen
Kimmo Timonen (born March 18 1975, in Kuopio, Finland) is a professional ice hockey Defenceman in the NHL. He currently plays for the Philadelphia Flyers.
- Satu Hassi
Satu Maijastiina Hassi (born 3 June 1951) is a Finnish politician, and Member of the European Parliament for the Green League. She served as the Minister of Environment and Development Co-Operation in Paavo Lipponen's second cabinet between 15 April 1999 and 31 May 2002; she left the cabinet prematurely in response to the decision to build a fifth nuclear power plant in Finland. Hassi served as the leader of her party between 1999 and 2001.
- Niklas Hagman
Niklas Hagman (born December 5, 1979 in Espoo, Finland) is a Finnish professional hockey player.
- Tanja Poutiainen
Tanja Poutiainen (born 6 April 1980 in Rovaniemi) is a Finnish alpine skier who won the silver medal at the 2006 Winter Olympics women's giant slalom race. In, 1997 Poutiainen became junior world champion in the slalom as well being listed 3rd in the Super-G, and the same year debuted in the Alpine skiing World Cup. At the 1999 Junior World Championships, she placed third in the giant slalom skiing competition. She placed second in the Super-G at the World Cup in Sestriere, …
- Anneli Jäätteenmäki
Anneli Tuulikki Jäätteenmäki was the first female Prime Minister of Finland, in office April 17th, 2003, to June 24th, 2003. She worked as a lawyer from 1981 until 1987, when she was elected as a member of Finnish Parliament (Eduskunta). Jäätteenmäki was Minister of Justice 1994-1995. She was the leader of the Centre Party of Finland from June 18th, 2000, to October 5th, 2003, …
- Hannu Manninen
Hannu Kalevi Manninen (born April 17, 1978 in Rovaniemi) is a Finnish nordic combined athlete. Debuting at the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer at the age of 15, he took his first medal three years later at the age of 18 when he won silver in the 4 x 5 km team event at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships. At the 2002 Winter Olympics, he won a gold medal in the 4 x 5 km team event at the age of 23. He has five other nordic skiing World Championships medals, …
- Sami Kapanen
Sami Kapanen (born 14 June, 1973, in Vantaa, Finland) is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward who currently plays for Philadelphia Flyers in the NHL. He is the older brother of Kimmo Kapanen.
- Aki Berg
Aki-Petteri Berg (born July 28, 1977 in Turku, Finland) is a Finnish professional hockey defenceman. He currently plays for the Finnish SM-liiga's TPS. He was drafted third overall by the Los Angeles Kings in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft. He played both for the Kings and the Toronto Maple Leafs over eight seasons and has represented Team Finland twice at the Winter Olympics, winning a Bronze Medal in Men's Ice Hockey at the 1998 Nagano Olympics, …
- Piia-Noora Kauppi
Piia-Noora Kauppi (born January 7, 1975) is a Finnish politician representing the National Coalition Party (Kokoomus). She is a Member of the European Parliament for the term from 2004 to 2009, her second time at that office. She was first elected as MEP in 1999 for the 1999 - 2004 period. In European Parliament election, 2004 she received 62914 votes. When not traveling to Brussels, she lives in Oulu.
- Toni Lydman
Toni Lydman (born September 25, 1977 in Lahti) is a Finnish professional ice hockey player. He has played in the NHL for the Calgary Flames and currently the Buffalo Sabres. Lydman was drafted by Calgary in the 4th round, 89th overall at the 1996 NHL Entry Draft. He spent 4 seasons playing in Finland's SM-liiga for Tappara in Tampere and HIFK in Helsinki before making his NHL debut for the Flames in the 2000-01 NHL season.
- Ville Ritola
Vilho ("Ville") Eino Ritola was a Finnish athlete, specialised in the long distance events. In the 1920s, he won 8 Olympic medals. He was internationally known as one of the "Flying Finns". Born in Peräseinäjoki, Finland, Ville Ritola, nicknamed as "Peräseinäjoen Susi (The Wolf from Peräseinäjoki)", emigrated to United States at the age of 17, to join his seven sisters, who had emigrated earlier.
- Ville Nieminen
Ville Nieminen is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward for the Malmö Redhawks of the Allsvenskan (icehockey) in Sweden. Nieminen started his professional hockey career in Tappara in the Finnish SM-liiga, in the 1994-95 season. He was drafted by the Colorado Avalanche as their third-round pick, #78 overall, in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft. Nieminen spent three seasons in the AHL with the Hershey Bears, …
- Fredrik Norrena
Fredrik Norrena (born November 29, 1973 in Jakobstad, Finland) is a Finland-Swedish professional ice hockey goaltender.
- Matti Hautamäki
Matti Antero Hautamäki is a Finnish ski jumper.
- Niko Kapanen
Niko Klaus Petteri Kapanen (born 29 April 1978 in Hattula, Finland) is a professional ice hockey center for the Phoenix Coyotes. Kapanen was drafted by the Dallas Stars in the 6th round as the 173rd overall pick in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. During the 2005-6 season, Kapanen recorded a career high in goals (14), and points (35). He scored his first career hat trick on February 9, 2006 against the Phoenix Coyotes in a 5-1 victory.
- Janne Happonen
Janne Mikael Happonen (born June 18, 1984 in Kuopio, Finland) is a Finnish ski jumper. He represents "Puijon Hiihtoseura" as his ski club.
- Niklas Bäckström
Niklas Bäckström is a Finnish ice hockey goaltender who plays for the Minnesota Wild of the NHL. Bäckström was the third goaltender for Team Finland in the 2006 Winter Olympics, but did not play any games. In the Finnish SM-liiga he played for HIFK, SaiPa and Kärpät. Bäckström led Kärpät to two consecutive league titles in 2004 and 2005. Bäckström signed a one-year contract with the Wild on June 1, 2006.
- Antero Niittymäki
Antero Niittymäki (born June 18, 1980 in Turku, Finland) is a professional ice hockey goaltender currently with the Philadelphia Flyers. He has played in the SM-liiga, AHL, and NHL. He was the first goalie to score an overtime goal in North American pro-hockey history, and was the MVP in the 2006 Winter Olympics ice hockey tournament for team Finland.
- Jani Sievinen
Jani Nikanor Sievinen (born March 31, 1974 in Vihti) is a former medley swimmer from Finland, who won the silver medal in the 200 m individual medley at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia. Together with Antti Kasvio he was Finland's leading swimmer in the 1990s, thanks to his father Esa Sievinen who made him one of the most versatile swimmers in the world. He won his first title in long course, at the 1993 European Swimming Championships in Sheffield, …
- Lasse Kukkonen
Lasse Kukkonen (born September 18, 1981 in Oulu, Finland) is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman. He plays for the Philadelphia Flyers in the NHL
- Janne Lahtela
Janne Lahtela is a Finnish former athlete, who established himself as one of the most dominant persons in the history of moguls skiing. He is currently the head coach of Japan's freestyle skiing team. Lahtela won a gold medal in the moguls final of 2002 Winter Olympic Games. Four years earlier he had taken a silver medal in front of his cousin Sami Mustonen, who took bronze. He has also won the moguls skiing World Cup five times and became a World Champion in 1999.