Bo Ekelund was one of the best Scandinavian high jumpers in the late 1910s. In 1916 he won the event at the big Swedish Games (1.85), then in 1919 won at the Scandinavian triangular meet with 1.86. After capturing the bronze medal at the 1920 Games, he was second (at 1.89) to Olympic winner Dick Landon (USA) in the USA-FRA-SWE triangular match in Paris. Ekelund twice was Swedish national champion, in 1919 and 1920. He set a new Scandinavian record with 1.93 in København in September 1919, which was the world leading performance for 1919, and was also a capable hurdler.
Ekelund, a graduate engineer, accepted employment in Shanghai in 1921 with the company Armerad Betong, for whom he later became a director, putting an end to his track career. Later, in Sweden, he held political assignments, especially as a member of the town council. In sports administration, Ekelund became Secretary-General of the Stockholm University Sports Club in 1915. He served as President of the Swedish Athletic Association from 1925-34 and was Secretary-General of the IAAF from 1930-46. He also chaired the Executive Committee of the Swedish Olympic Committee.
Personal Best: HJ – 1.93 (1919).
Sweden