Ake SEYFFARTH

Speed skater Åke Seyffarth set a world record of 8:13.7 for 5,000m in 1941 and broke the 3,000m world record the following year. He also won the overall title at the 1947 European speed skating championships, the first international event to be held after World War II.

A dirt bike race that almost cost him his career

In 1943, Seyffarth, who was also one of Sweden's leading cyclists, was badly injured during a dirt-bike race. He did a somersault through the air, hit his head against a concrete pillar and was unconscious for 24 hours.

A photographer in his way

When the Games began again in 1948 after a twelve-year gap, Seyffarth's 1941 5,000m world record was still in the books. At the St. Moritz Games, his chances for a medal in the 5,000m were severely disrupted when he brushed against a photographer who jumped onto the ice to take a picture. Seyffarth lost precious seconds and ended up in seventh place. Two days later, he made up for his disappointment by winning the 10,000m by 9.7 seconds. He also won a silver medal in the 1,500m.