On 2 September 1930, 20-year-old Maj Jacobsson from IK Göta Stadium set a world record in the 80 meter hurdles. The time, 12.1, was an improvement of one tenth. The next day, the young woman from Stockholm traveled to Prague where the third so-called Women’s Olympics were held. Her good form continued and the Swede won her special distance 80 meter hurdles in a safe manner. Jacobsson also finished fourth in the long jump. She was a multi-talented athlete who of course became Swedish champion in the 80 meter hurdles, but also in the long jump with and without approach, and in the 200 meters. Remarkably, Maj Jacobsson’s career was so short. She only competed for two seasons. Her career began in 1929 in the Stockholm Women’s Bandy Club. Not surprisingly, this sporting super talent was also Sweden’s best female bandy player. One wonders what Maj Jacobsson could have achieved in the sport’s arenas if she had not retired at the age of 20.
Maj Jacobsson
Steve Backley
Steve Backley set a world record at the 1990 DN Gala and won several Olympic, World, European and Commonwealth medals during his career.
Jānis Lūsis
The 1972 DN Gala offered two dramatic days where Jānis Lūsis left his mark with a historic world record throw.
Erik “Målarn” Lundqvist
On August 15, Erik Lundqvist struck with a throw of 71.01 m.
Wilson Kipketer
On July 7, 1997, Kipketer broke Englishman Sebastian Coe's 16-year-old world record in the 800 meters.
Jean Bouin
Frenchman Jean Bouin was France's first successful long-distance runner.
The national bandy match
February 11, 1940 was a chilly day. Temperature down to -20 degrees. Nevertheless, plenty of people came to the Stockholm Stadium that day.