08/11/2000 -

KONONEN & KYLLONEN RETIRE.

1995 World 50km walk champion Valentin Kononen and
sprinter Sanna Kyllonen (nee Hernesniemi)who was 
fourth in the 1993 World indoor championship at 200m,
have announced their retirements following the Sydney
Olympics.

VALENTIN KONONEN
Kononen (born.1969) who took the world 50km title in
Gothenburg in 1995 also took silver medals at the 
1993 world championships and 1998 European championships.

A very clean - non lifting - walker throughout his 
career, Kononen received three warnings and was 
disqualified for the first time at a major champs
in Sydney when in contention for the bronze
medal.

Personal best - 3:39.34.

SANNA KYLLONEN -
Besides her fourth place at the 1993 world indoor
championships, Sanna's best year was 1994 when at
the Helsinki European championships she finished 
7th and 6th in the 100m & 200m finals respectively.

Married to and coached by former high hurdler Kai
Kyllonen Sanna had personal bests of 11.30 & 22.98 
seconds. Her indoor bests were 7.22 (60m) & 23.03seconds.

DOB - 09.03.1971.