Anders Gärderud
For a few weeks in the summer of 1975, Anders Gärderud was on top form. By the end of June, he had set a world record in the 3,000-meter hurdles in Oslo, and on the 1st of July, he was competing in the same distance at the Stockholm Stadium. Gärderud managed to fulfil everyone’s expectations. The spectators in the packed arena carried Gärderud to a new world record with a time of 8:09.8. Anders Gärderud most memorable moment of the perfect race was the importance of the audience. On the last lap, he felt like nothing could tire him out. It was something he had never experienced before, nor has he experienced it after. That cheer from the audience gave him the energy to break new records.
A year later, Gärderud won the Olympic gold in Montreal, setting yet another world record. But for the Swedish sports star, the race at the Stockholm Stadium is still the most memorable of his career.
