Tord WIKSTEN

Tord Wiksten was active in the biathlon World Cup circuit until 2004, competing from 1981 for his home club SK Bore. Later in his career he joined Jämtland Biathlon, now known as Biathlon Östersund IF. His shooting precision always exceeded his running abilities. An early highlight was gold at the 1990 Junior World Championship in the 10 km, followed by a bronze medal the next year. His first major senior appearance was at the 1992 Olympics in Albertville, when he won a bronze medal as a member of the Swedish relay team. He first competed in the World Cup at Oberhof in 1993, also earning his first World Cup points. At his first World Championship in Borowez he placed sixth with the Swedish relay team. Shortly thereafter, he had to stop competing for almost two years due to a back injury, but he came back at Östersund in 1995. Wiksten’s best World Cup result was a second place in the sprint at Oberhof in 2001. He also participated in five consecutive World Championships between 1996 and 2000, but without major success.

At a young age Wiksten also competed with great success in handball, soccer, hockey and athletics, particularly in technical events like the discus and javelin throw and high jump. Wiksten was educated at an economic school. As early as the 1990s he started his own company which began by marketing himself as a successful athlete, and which later became the Tord Wiksten Event & PR Company, which organized biathlon activities and promoted biathlon simulators. He also became an expert commentator for Eurosport and an official with the Swedish biathlon squad.