As a teenager, Willy Falck Hansen earned the nickname “Spejderen” (Scout) for competing in full scouting attire. His first national title came at age 17, and in 1924 he won an Olympic silver medal in the tandem sprint, together with Edmund Hansen. After finishing runner-up at the 1927 World Championships (sprint), his greatest season came in 1928. He won the world sprint title as well as the Olympic gold in the 1 kilometre time trial, adding an Olympic bronze in the sprint. His successes prompted him to turn pro, and he once again reached the top of the rostrum at the 1931 World Championships, this time winning the professional sprint title. Hansen continued to compete through 1950, but rarely had any successes outside of Denmark. Hansen’s collection of titles included four Nordic (amateur) titles in the sprint and the 10 km event, and as many as 29 Danish titles, in the sprint, time trial and 10 km.
Denmark