Gustaf Dyrssen

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games • Administrator
SexMale
Full nameGustaf Peder Wilhelm•Dyrssen
Used nameGustaf•Dyrssen
Born24 November 1891 in Stockholm, Stockholm (SWE)
Died13 May 1981 in Kungsängen, Upplands-Bro, Stockholm (SWE)
AffiliationsA1 IF, Linköping (SWE) / FFF, Stockholm (SWE)
NOC Sweden
Medals OG
Gold 1
Silver 2
Bronze 0
Total 3

Biography

Gustaf Dyrssen was a four-time Olympian, competing in the modern pentathlon in 1920-24, winning gold and silver medals, and he competed in fencing in 1920/24/28/36, winning a team épée silver medal in 1936. Dyrssen was Swedish modern pentathlon champion in 1914 and 1922 and won that event at the 1914 Baltic Games. He was three-times Swedish épée fencing champion (1927, 1932, 1952), winning his last title at age 60. He also won the military patrol event at the 1922 Nordic Games.

From a military family, Dyrssen studied at the Royal Military Academy, started his career as a lieutenant in artillery, and ended it as a brigadier-general. In sports administration he was Vice-President of the Organizing Committee for the 1956 Equestrian Olympic Games in Stockholm, President of the Swedish Fencing Federation from 1936-40, and most significantly, President of the Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne from 1948-60. Dyrsssen was co-opted onto the IOC in July 1952 and served until his resignation in May 1970.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1920 Summer Olympics Modern Pentathlon SWE Gustaf Dyrssen
Individual, Men (Olympic) 1 Gold
1924 Summer Olympics Modern Pentathlon SWE Gustaf Dyrssen
Individual, Men (Olympic) 2 Silver
Fencing SWE Gustaf Dyrssen
Épée, Team, Men (Olympic) Sweden 3 p3 r1/4
1928 Summer Olympics Fencing SWE Gustaf Dyrssen
Épée, Individual, Men (Olympic) =8 p1 r2/4
Épée, Team, Men (Olympic) Sweden 3 p4 r1/4
1936 Summer Olympics Fencing SWE Gustaf Dyrssen
Épée, Individual, Men (Olympic) 10 p4 r2/4
Épée, Team, Men (Olympic) Sweden 2 Silver

Organization roles

Role Organization Tenure NOC As
President Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne 1948—1960 SWE Gustaf Dyrssen
Member International Olympic Committee 1952—1970 SWE Gustaf Dyrssen
Honorary International Olympic Committee 1970—1981 SWE Gustaf Dyrssen

Special Notes