Sixten Jernberg

Sixten Jernberg was the greatest cross-country skiier of the early post-World War II era. Between 1956 and 1964, he won four gold, three silver, and two bronze for what was then a record total of nine Winter Olympic medals, since surpassed by both Russia’s Raisa Smetanina and Norway’s Bjørn Dæhlie. His Olympic medals were as follows: Gold – 1956 50 kilometres, 1960 30 kilometres, 1964 50 kilometres, and 1964 relay; Silver – 1956 15 kilometres, 1956 30 kilometres, and 1960 kilometres; and Bronze – 1956 relay, and 1964 15 kilometres. Jernberg added three gold and two bronze medals at the 1954, 1958, and 1962 World Championships, including four medals in the 50 km. Between 1952 and 1964 he took part in 363 ski races, winning 134. In his prime years of 1955-1960, he won 86 of 161 races. Initially a blacksmith and then a lumberjack, his daily work provided the essential stamina for the rigors of long-distance cross-country skiing. In 1965, the IOC awarded him the Mohammed Taher Trophy for his contributions to Nordic skiing.