Oscar Lemming

Oscar Lemming was a champion track and field athlete who set several Swedish records prior to World War I. Lemming also had a lengthy military career, reaching the rank of captain. His half-brother Eric won three Olympic gold medals in the javelin.

At the Swedish championships Oscar Lemming won gold in the 110 metres hurdles in 1903 and 1904. He also won the bronze medal in the event in 1906 and 1907. In addition to winning medals in the hurdles he also won bronze in the javelin (1903, 1906) and silver in the high jump (1906). As a hurdler Lemming held the Swedish record from 1904 to 1907 running the 110 metres in 16.2 seconds. From 1905 to 1906 he also held the national record in the triple jump with 12.95 metres.

Lemming competed in the 110 metres hurdles at the 1908 London Olympics but did not finish in his heat. He was also listed to take part in the high jump and the javelin but did not start in either event. Four years later Lemming finished in 10th place in the pentathlon at his home Olympics in Stockholm.

In 1908 Lemming became an officer volunteer in the Bohuslän regiment before joining the Västernorrland regiment the following year. He reached the rank of sub-lieutenant 1910, lieutenant in 1915, and captain in 1925. After completing a course he was a weapons officer from 1929 to 1936. In his civilian life Lemming ran his own business in the photocopying industry from 1936 to 1961.

Personal Best: 110H – 16.2 (1904).