Sven Thofelt

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games • Administrator
SexMale
Full nameSven Alfred•Thofelt
Used nameSven•Thofelt
Born19 May 1904 in Stockholm, Stockholm (SWE)
Died1 February 1993 in Djursholm, Danderyd, Stockholm (SWE)
AffiliationsA1 IF, Linköping (SWE) / FFF, Stockholm (SWE)
NOC Sweden
Medals OG
Gold 1
Silver 1
Bronze 1
Total 3

Biography

Sven Thofelt competed at four Olympic Games (1928, 1932, 1936, 1948), winning the individual modern pentathlon gold medal in 1928, and adding a 1936 silver medal and 1948 bronze medal in fencing team épée. Domestically Thofelt was a six-time Swedish modern pentathlon champion, was individual épée champion three times, and swam on a national champion 4x100 freestyle relay team. Thofelt studied at the Royal Military Academy, graduating in 1924, and was a career military man, reaching the rank of Brigadier-General before his retirement in 1964.

In sports administration Thofelt became Secretary-General of the Union International de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM) in 1948 and became President in 1960, serving in that role until 1988. During that time the UIPM added biathlon to become the UIPMB in 1960. He also served as President of the Swedish Fencing Federation in 1968 and was President of the Executive Board of the Swedish Olympic Committee from 1969-76. Thofelt became an IOC Member in 1970, resigning in 1976, after which he was made an Honorary Member.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1928 Summer Olympics Modern Pentathlon SWE Sven Thofelt
Individual, Men (Olympic) 1 Gold
1932 Summer Olympics Fencing SWE Sven Thofelt
Épée, Individual, Men (Olympic) 9
Modern Pentathlon SWE Sven Thofelt
Individual, Men (Olympic) 4
1936 Summer Olympics Fencing SWE Sven Thofelt
Épée, Team, Men (Olympic) Sweden 2 Silver
Modern Pentathlon SWE Sven Thofelt
Individual, Men (Olympic) 4
1948 Summer Olympics Fencing SWE Sven Thofelt
Épée, Individual, Men (Olympic) DNS
Épée, Team, Men (Olympic) Sweden 3 Bronze

Organization roles

Role Organization Tenure NOC As
President Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne 1960—1988 SWE Sven Thofelt
Member International Olympic Committee 1970—1976 SWE Sven Thofelt
Honorary International Olympic Committee 1976—1993 SWE Sven Thofelt

Olympic family relations

Special Notes