Rune Nilsson

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games (non-medal events)
SexMale
Full nameRune Ingemar•Nilsson
Used nameRune•Nilsson
Nick/petnamesGummi
Born4 May 1928 in Jönköping, Jönköping (SWE)
Died27 October 2020 in Västra Frölunda, Göteborg, Västra Götaland (SWE)
AffiliationsMajornas IK, Göteborg (SWE)
NOC Sweden

Biography

Rune Nilsson took up handball as a schoolboy in his home town of Jönköping and, after trying out with several teams, eventually settled on Majornas IK, where he was a team member from December 1946 all the way to 2001, when he retired at the age of 73. Among his 34 international matches was one in the demonstration tournament at the 1952 Summer Olympics, where Sweden defeated Denmark 19-11. He also won gold, silver, and bronze at the 1948, 1952, and 1956 World Championships respectively, and came in fourth in 1959. Once named the world’s best handball goalkeeper, he helped his team to six national championships over the course of his career and was made a member of the Göteborgsidrottens Hall of Fame in 2004. Following his retirement from active competition, he remained involved with his club as chairman and a coach and, by career, worked as a salesman.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1952 Summer Olympics Handball SWE Rune Nilsson
Handball, Men (Olympic (non-medal)) Sweden 1