Gunnar Eriksson

Krång Erik Gunnar Eriksson (13 September 1921 – 8 July 1982) was a Swedish cross-country skier who won two medals at the 1948 Winter Olympics, a gold in the 4 × 10 km relay and a bronze in the individual 18 km. Eriksson won the 50 km event at the 1950 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships, but finished 12th at the 1952 Olympics and 21st at the 1954 World Championships.[1][2]

Not to be confused with Gunnar Ericsson.

Gunnar Eriksson
Eriksson at the 1948 Olympics
Personal information
Born13 September 1921
Östnor, Sweden
Died8 July 1982 (aged 60)
Mora Municipality, Sweden
Sport
SportCross-country skiing
ClubIFK Mora SK
Medal record
Men's cross-country skiing
Representing  Sweden
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place1948 St. Moritz4 × 10 km relay
Bronze medal – third place1948 St. Moritz18 km
World Championships
Gold medal – first place1950 Lake Placid50 km

Eriksson had five brothers and three sisters. Their father died aged 42, and the children had to start working in their teens at the local knife factory; in 1946 they started their own hardware business. Eriksson married Kerstin Norlin, the winner of the 1949 Vasa ski marathon, who lived next door. She died aged 38. After retiring from competitions in 1954 Eriksson spent time collecting stamps, fishing, hunting and working as timberjack. In 1980 he developed Lou Gehrig’s disease and died in July 1982.[1]

Cross-country skiing results

All results are sourced from the International Ski Federation (FIS).[3]

Olympic Games
  • 2 medals – (1 gold, 1 bronze)
 Year   Age   18 km   50 km   4 × 10 km 
 relay 
194827Bronze—Gold
195231—12—

World Championships
  • 1 medal – (1 gold)
 Year   Age   18 km   50 km   4 × 10 km 
 relay 
195029—Gold—

References
  1. Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Gunnar Eriksson". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020.
  2. Gunnar Eriksson. Swedish Olympic Committee
  3. "ERIKSSON Gunnar". FIS-Ski. International Ski Federation. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
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