Anders GARDERUD

Anders Gärderud experimented with several events with little success, before he rose to athletic greatness in the 3,000 m steeplechase. Gärderud’s first major tournament was the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, where he was eliminated in the heats of the 800 and 1,500 metres. In the following years, Gärderud concentrated on the steeplechase, and was favored at the 1972 München Olympics, but was unfortunately suffering from a severe cold, and was eliminated in his heat. Gärderud was also eliminated in the heats of the 5,000 m at the 1972 Olympics, but only seven days later, set a steeplechase world record of 8:20.8.

At the 1974 European Championships, Gärderud was narrowly beaten by Poland’s Bronisław Malinowski, but he then broke the steeplechase world record twice in 1975, first recording 8:10.4 and then six days later bettering that with 8:09.8. The culmination of Gärderud’s career was at the 1976 Montréal Olympics, where, after a stirring contest with Malinowski, Gärderud won gold in a world record time of 8:08.02. Domestically, Gärderud won four Swedish titles – 1,500 metres in 1968-69 and steeplechase in 1971 and 1975. After finishing his sporting career, Gärderud worked as an athletics coach, serving as head coach of the Swedish national women’s team and also appeared regularly on Swedish TV as an athletics commentator.

Personal Bests: 800 – 1:47.2 (1968); 1500 – 3:36.73 (1974); 5000 – 13:17.59 (1976); 3000S – 8:08.02 (1976).