Two-time Olympic medallist Toomas Tõniste was appointed Minister of Finance of Estonia

On 12 June, two-time Olympic medallist Toomas Tõniste was appointed Minister of Finance of the Republic of Estonia.

Toomas Tõniste is a former 470 class (men’s two person dinghy) sailor who won silver medal in 1988 Summer Olympic Games in Seoul and bronze medal in 1992 Summer Olympic Games in Barcelona.

Tõniste was born in Tallinn on 26 April 1967 and is a graduate of Tallinn University. After finishing his sailing career, he became a successful entrepreneur and later went to politics. He was a member of Tallinn City Council in 2002-2003 and 2006-2007. During the period of 2007-2015, Tõniste was member of the Parliament of Estonia, also serving as Chairman of the parliamentary Economic Affairs Committee. He is member of the Pro Patria and Res Publica Union.

Toomas Tõniste has been awarded the 3rd Class of the Order of the Estonian Red Cross by the President of Estonia in 2001.