Knut Lindberg

One of Sweden’s first great sportsmen Knut Lindberg won multiple titles in both athletics and football. Lindberg was an all-round track and field athlete who excelled as a sprinter, and as a footballer he represented Örgryte IS.

On the track Lindberg won 15 individual Swedish titles with nine in the 100 metres (1902, 1904–09, 1911–12), three in the 200 metres (1908–09, 1912), and three in the 110 metres hurdles (1907–09). He was also part of the quartet that won the national 4x100 metres relay title on seven occasions (1903–04, 1907–09, 1911–12). In 1906 Lindberg twice improved the world record in the 100 metres with his Swedish record standing until 1936.

At the 1906 Intercalated Games Lindberg won the silver medal in the javelin with a best throw of 45.17 metres. He also finished in fifth place in the pentathlon and in sixth place in the 100 metres. Two years later Lindberg competed at the 1908 London Olympics but his national achievements did not translate to Olympic success. In the 100 metres, 200 metres, and the 1,600 metres medley relay he was eliminated in the heats in each event, and failed to make the final of the javelin throw. Four years later Lindberg’s fortunes improved when he won silver in the 4 × 100 metres relay at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics and reached the semi-finals in both the 100 and 200 metres.

As a footballer Lindberg played for Örgryte IS and won five Swedish Championship titles with the club (1902, 1904–07). In 1910 Lindberg was convicted of the murder of a taxi driver but only served seven months in prison after his lawyer argued the case that the victim was a suspect.

Personal Bests: 100 – 10.6 (1906); 200 – 22.3e (1912); JT – 45.17 (1906).