Hugo Wieslander

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameKarl Hugo•Wieslander
Used nameHugo•Wieslander
Born11 June 1889 in Ljuder, Lessebo, Kronoberg (SWE)
Died24 May 1976 in Bromma, Stockholm, Stockholm (SWE)
Measurements182 cm / 81 kg
AffiliationsIFK Stockholm, Stockholm (SWE)
NOC Sweden
Medals OG
Gold 0
Silver 1
Bronze 0
Total 1

Biography

Prior to the 1912 Olympics, the multi-event for track & field athletes was the all-around championship, a 10-event competition emphasizing strength events, but in preparation for the Stockholm Olympics, the Swedes devised another 10-event multi-event with more emphasis placed on speed and jumping ability. As the new decathlon was not contested much outside of Sweden before the Games, Hugo Wieslander, who had won three Swedish decathlons in 1911-12 in preparation for the Olympic Games, was considered a favorite. However, at the Olympic Games, Jim Thorpe won the new decathlon easily, defeating Wieslander by almost 700 points. A week before the decathlon, Wieslander had also finished seventh in pentathlon, also won by Thorpe.

Wieslander had already competed at the 1908 Olympics in five events, his best finish being fifth in freestyle javelin throw. He also won four Swedish titles – in high jump (1907), decathlon (1909) and pentathlon (1910 and 1911) and placed second-third eight times in various jumping and throwing events at the Swedish championships in 1906-08.

In 1913 Wieslander passed the state surveying exam and became employed by the Swedish cartography agency where he worked until his retirement. In January 1913, the news also broke that Thorpe had played minor league baseball in North Carolina in 1909 and 1910. The United States’ AAU reacted quickly and declared Thorpe a professional, with the IOC following suit and awarded the decathlon gold medal to Wieslander. For many years Wieslander was uncomfortable with keeping the 1912 gold medal and contemplated returning it to Thorpe. He finally reconsidered, and in 1951 donated it to the sports museum at the Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences. In 1954 it was stolen from there and never recovered. In 1982, the International Olympic Committee made partial restitution when they restored Thorpe’s amateur status, and declared him, in an unusual ruling, decathlon co-champion with Wieslander.

Personal Bests: LJ – 6.56 (1912); SP – 13.15sq (1908); DT – 37.53 (1908); JT – 52.77 (1908); Dec – 5965 (1912).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1908 Summer Olympics Athletics SWE Hugo Wieslander
High Jump, Men (Olympic) DNS
Long Jump, Men (Olympic) AC
Shot Put, Men (Olympic) AC
Discus Throw, Men (Olympic) AC
Discus Throw, Greek Style, Men (Olympic) DNS
Javelin Throw, Men (Olympic) AC
Javelin Throw, Freestyle, Men (Olympic) 5
1912 Summer Olympics Athletics SWE Hugo Wieslander
110 metres Hurdles, Men (Olympic) DNS
Pole Vault, Men (Olympic) DNS
Shot Put, Men (Olympic) DNS
Shot Put, Both Hands, Men (Olympic) DNS
Discus Throw, Men (Olympic) DNS
Discus Throw, Both Hands, Men (Olympic) DNS
Javelin Throw, Men (Olympic) DNS
Javelin Throw, Both Hands, Men (Olympic) DNS
Pentathlon, Men (Olympic) 7
Decathlon, Men (Olympic) 2 Silver