Hasse BÖRJES

As a top 500 metre skater, Hasse Börjes was greatly helped by the introduction of sprint championships during his career. In 1970, the year in which the first international sprint championships were held (later to be officially termed World Sprint Championships), Börjes made his name as one of the best 500 m skaters in the world. That season, he bettered the world record no less than three times, being the first man to beat 39 seconds in the event. He also won both 500 metre events at the international sprint championships. At the next edition, he again won one 500 metre event. By 1972, Erhard Keller had become the man to beat, having lowered the world record to 38.3 early in the year. Keller also retained his Olympic title, with Börjes grabbing the silver. After tying the new world record in March that year, Börjes turned professional. He was the outstanding sprinter in the recently set-up circuit, winning two European titles and a World sprint title before the pro circuit folded. The award cabinet of Börjes further features the inaugural Swedish sprint title (1971) and five 500 m titles (1967, 1969-72). Apart from his four 500 m world records, he also once lowered the sprint points record, in 1971. Following the end of the pro circuit, Hasse Börjes studied naprapathy, a form of alternative medicine, which he has practised ever since.

Personal Bests: 500 – 38.0 (1972); 1000 – 1:19.87 (1974); 1500 – 2:12.4 (1971).