Knut Stenborg

As a sprinter and a long jumper Knut Stenborg won multiple Swedish titles, set two national records, and competed at two Olympic Games. In 1907 Stenborg won his first two national titles with gold in the 400 metres and the long jump. He won further golds in the 400 metres (1909, 1911), long jump (1910), and as part of the quartet in the 4x100 metres relay (1910–12). Stenborg also won silver in the 400 metres in 1908, 1910, and 1912, and silver in the long jump in 1908.

In 1908 Stenborg set a national record in the 400 metres when he ran 51.3 seconds, with the record standing until 1910 when Eric Lindholm ran 50.9 seconds. Stenborg’s second Swedish athletics record came in the long jump in 1909. His jump of 6.91 metres was eventually bettered by Georg Åberg in 1912.

Despite his success in Sweden, Stenborg could not replicate his performances at the Olympics. At the 1908 London Olympics he ran in the 100, 200, and 400 metres, but did not advance from the heats in any of those races. Stenborg was also part of the quartet for the 1,600 metres medley relay, but the Swedish team were eliminated in their first round heat. At his home Olympics in Stockholm in 1912, Stenborg ran in the 200 metres and 400 metres, where he was eliminated from his heat in the former. He only advanced to the semi-finals in the 400 metres as he was the sole athlete in his heat. Stenborg was also in the 4 × 400 metres relay in Stockholm, but again the Swedish team were eliminated during the heats.

Personal Bests: 100 – 11.2 (1907); 200 – 22.8 (1912); 400 – 50.5e (1912).