Eric Lemming

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games • Competed in Intercalated Games
SexMale
Full nameEric Otto Valdemar•Lemming
Used nameEric•Lemming
Born22 February 1880 in Göteborg (Gothenburg), Västra Götaland (SWE)
Died5 June 1930 in Göteborg (Gothenburg), Västra Götaland (SWE)
Measurements190 cm / 88 kg
AffiliationsIS Lyckans Soldater, Göteborg (SWE) / Göteborgs IF, Göteborg (SWE)
NOC Sweden
Medals OG IG
Gold 3 1
Silver 0 0
Bronze 0 3
Total 3 4

Biography

Eric Lemming was the first of the great modern javelin throwers. He was Olympic javelin champion in 1906, 1908 and 1912, winning both the orthodox and freestyle event in 1908. He would almost certainly have been the champion in 1900 had the javelin been on the program but, in the absence of his speciality event, he competed in six other field events, placing fourth in the pole vault and the hammer. In 1906, he also won bronze medals in the shot, pentathlon and tug-of-war. As a 19-year-old, Lemming set a world javelin best of 49.32 metres (161’10”) in 1899 and made 13 further improvements to the record, culminating with a mark of 62.32 metres (204’5”) in 1912 which was later accepted as the first official International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) record.

Personal Bests: HJ – 1.70 (1900); PV – 3.20 (1900); LJ – 6.34 (1906); TJ – 12.72 (1903); SP – 13.10 (1918); DT – 44.90 (1917); HT – 46.84 (1917); JT – 62.32 (1912).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1900 Summer Olympics Athletics SWE Eric Lemming
High Jump, Men (Olympic) =4
Pole Vault, Men (Olympic) =4
Long Jump, Men (Olympic) 12
Triple Jump, Men (Olympic) AC
Standing Triple Jump, Men (Olympic) DNS
Discus Throw, Men (Olympic) =8
Hammer Throw, Men (Olympic) 4
Pole Vault, Handicap, Men (Olympic (non-medal)) 2
1906 Intercalated Games Athletics SWE Eric Lemming
High Jump, Men (Intercalated) DNS
Standing High Jump, Men (Intercalated) DNS
Pole Vault, Men (Intercalated) DNS
Long Jump, Men (Intercalated) DNS
Standing Long Jump, Men (Intercalated) 26
Triple Jump, Men (Intercalated) =12
Shot Put, Men (Intercalated) 3 Bronze
Stone Throw, Men (Intercalated) 4
Discus Throw, Men (Intercalated) 4
Discus Throw, Greek Style, Men (Intercalated) AC
Javelin Throw, Freestyle, Men (Intercalated) 1 Gold
Pentathlon (Ancient), Men (Intercalated) 3 Bronze
Tug-Of-War SWE Eric Lemming
Tug-Of-War, Men (Intercalated) Sweden 3 Bronze
1908 Summer Olympics Athletics SWE Eric Lemming
Shot Put, Men (Olympic) DNS
Discus Throw, Men (Olympic) AC
Discus Throw, Greek Style, Men (Olympic) AC
Hammer Throw, Men (Olympic) 8
Javelin Throw, Men (Olympic) 1 Gold
Javelin Throw, Freestyle, Men (Olympic) 1 Gold
1912 Summer Olympics Athletics SWE Eric Lemming
Shot Put, Men (Olympic) DNS
Shot Put, Both Hands, Men (Olympic) DNS
Discus Throw, Men (Olympic) DNS
Discus Throw, Both Hands, Men (Olympic) 11
Javelin Throw, Men (Olympic) 1 Gold
Javelin Throw, Both Hands, Men (Olympic) 4

Olympic family relations