Ingvar Ericsson

Ingvar Ericsson was one of Sweden’s top middle-distance runners of the 1950s, but was often in the shadow of his more successful compatriot Dan Waern. From 1950 through 1958, however, Ericsson never missed the national podium in the 1,500 metres, winning in 1952, 1954, and 1955 and coming in second in 1950 and 1956-1958. In 1956 he replaced Waern as the national recordholder for the 1,500, but Waern took it back in 1957 and held it until 1971.

Internationally, Ericsson was less successful, beginning with a seventh-place finish at the 1950 European Championships. His next stop was the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, where he placed eighth, and he got closest to a podium spot at the 1954 Europeans, where he came in fourth by 0.8 seconds. At the 1956 Melbourne Olympics he was eliminated in the heats, the same result as in his last major international tournament, the 1958 Europeans. By career, he was a firefighter.

Personal Best: 1500 – 3:41.2 (1956).