Gunnar Nielsen (athlete)
Gunnar Nielsen ( Niels Gunnar Nielsen ; born March 25, 1928 in Copenhagen ; † May 29, 1985 ibid) was a Danish middle-distance runner .
At the Olympic Games in Helsinki in 1952 he was fourth in the 800 m in 1: 49.7 min , at the same time as the German Heinz Ulzheimer , who won bronze.
In 1954 he won silver over 1500 m at the European Athletics Championships in Bern . In the same year he set the world record over 880 yards on September 30th in Copenhagen with 1: 48.6 min .
1955 followed an indoor world record in the mile run (4: 03.6 min). In autumn he set the world record over 1500 m with 3: 40.8 minutes.
At the Olympic Games in Melbourne in 1956 he won over 800 m in the preliminary run, but refrained from competing in the semifinals. He finished tenth in the last race of his career over 1500 m.
Over 800 m he was eight times in a row Danish champions (1949-1956), over 1500 five times (1952-1956).
Personal bests
- 800 m: 1: 47.5 min, August 4th 1955, Copenhagen
- 1500 m: 3: 40.8 min, September 6, 1955, Oslo
- 1 mile: 3.59.1 min, June 1, 1956, Compton
- Hall: 4: 03.6 min, February 5, 1955, New York City
Web links
- Gunnar Nielsen in the Sports-Reference database (English; archived from the original )
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Nielsen, Gunnar |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Nielsen, Niels Gunnar (full name) |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Danish middle distance runner |
| DATE OF BIRTH | March 25, 1928 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Copenhagen |
| DATE OF DEATH | May 29, 1985 |
| Place of death | Copenhagen |