Eric Backman
Biographical information
| Roles | Competed in Olympic Games |
|---|---|
| Sex | Male |
| Full name | Eric Natanael•Backman |
| Used name | Eric•Backman |
| Born | 18 May 1896 in Acklinga, Tidaholm, Västra Götaland (SWE) |
| Died | 29 June 1965 in Skövde, Västra Götaland (SWE) |
| Measurements | 172 cm / 64 kg |
| Affiliations | IFK Tidaholm, Tidaholm (SWE) |
| NOC |  Sweden |
| Medals | OG |
| Gold | 0 |
| Silver | 1 |
| Bronze | 3 |
| Total | 4 |
Biography
Eric Backman won one silver and three bronze medals at the 1920 Olympics in long-distance and cross-country running. Although he was a world class runner, he was a heavy smoker and enjoyed drinking alcohol. Backman was an eight-time Swedish champion in the 5 and 10K in the years 1918-23, setting Swedish records over 5,000 m, 10,000 m, 5 miles and in the one-hour run. In 1919 Backman won the English AAA Championship over four miles. He was appointed “Stor grabb” #38 in athletics. After 1943 Backman worked in the Volvo factory in Skövde.
Personal Bests: 3000 – unknown; 5000 – 14:51.0 (1919); 10000 – 31:02.2 (1921).
Results
| Games | Discipline (Sport) / Event | NOC / Team | Pos | Medal | As | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1920 Summer Olympics | Athletics | SWE |
Eric Backman | |||
| 5,000 metres, Men (Olympic) | 3 | Bronze | ||||
| 10,000 metres, Men (Olympic) | ||||||
| 3,000 metres, Team, Men (Olympic) | Sweden | 3 | Bronze | |||
| Cross-Country, Individual, Men (Olympic) | 2 | Silver | ||||
| Cross-Country, Team, Men (Olympic) | Sweden | 3 | Bronze |