Nykänen´s funeral held in Jyväskylä

Friends, relatives and fans of former legendary ski jumper Matti Nykänen bid goodbye to the Olympian at the funeral service held in Jyväskylä on Saturday.

German Jens Weissflog, who represented East Germany when he competed against Nykänen in the 80s and early 90s, also attended the funeral service, reported national broadcaster Yle.

Ski jumper Janne Ahonen, cross country skier Juha Mieto, European, Culture and Sports Minister Sampo Terho were also present on the occasion, said the report.

His mother Vieno Nykänen, sister Tuija Nykänen and widow Pia Nykänen said goodbyes to him before Nykänen’s coffin was placed in the hearse.

Nykänen died on February 4 at the age of 55.

One of the sport's most famous names, Nykänen won four Winter Olympic titles, including a clean sweep of the normal hill, large hill and team golds at Calgary 1988.

He had previously won the large hill gold at Sarajevo 1984, where he also clinched silver in the normal hill.

Nicknamed the Flying Finn, Nykänen's career also included five World Championship gold medals, four overall World Cup titles and one Ski Flying World Championship title.

After he retired from skiing, Nykänen became an entertainer and published music albums.

Nykänen married six times, with five persons. He had three children, a Finnish language newspaper Helsingin Sanomat reported.

He had an alcohol problems. In 2009 Nykänen was sentenced to prison for aggravated assault.