Veli Lehtelä

Who is Veli Lehtelä?

Veli Veikko Valtteri Lehtelä is a Finnish rower who competed in the 1956 Summer Olympics, in the 1960 Summer Olympics, and in the 1964 Summer Olympics.

He was born in Sääksmäki and is the father of musician and rower Jorma Lehtelä.

In 1956 he was a crew member of the Finnish boat which won the bronze medal in the coxed fours event. He was also part of the Finnish boat which was eliminated in the repechage of the coxless fours competition.

Four years later he won the bronze medal with his partner Toimi Pitkänen in the coxless pairs event.

At the 1964 Games he and his partner Toimi Pitkänen finished sixth in the coxless pairs competition.