Olympic Gold Medalist. He is often called "Sweden's most famed athlete" and was one of the first to reach international recognition as a track-and-field athlete. Eric Otto Valdemar Lemming was a slim 6-foot 3-inch athlete. Although he competed in several events, he became the #1 javelin thrower in the world in modern competitions. His first world record was 161 feet and 9 3/4 inches in 1899, which was the year prior to his Olympic debut when he placed 4th in high jumping, hammer throwing, and pole vaulting. The javelin throw was not part of the 1900 Olympics. Breaking his own javelin throw record twice, he was a Gold Medalist at the 1904 Athens Olympics with 187 feet and 3 3/4 inches; the 1908 London Olympics, winning both in the orthodox and freestyle event with a total of two Gold Medals; and the 1912 Stockholm Olympics with 196 feet and 8 1/2inches. In the 1906 Olympics, he took two bronze medals in shot put and Pentathlon. Ten times he held the world's record, with his best throw being later in 1912 at 204 feet and 5 1/2 inches, which was ratified by the International Association of Athletics Federations as the first official world record. Being a Swedish Champion 26 times, he made his personal best in hammer throwing and discus throwing in 1917. He continued competing until 1918.
Olympic Gold Medalist. He is often called "Sweden's most famed athlete" and was one of the first to reach international recognition as a track-and-field athlete. Eric Otto Valdemar Lemming was a slim 6-foot 3-inch athlete. Although he competed in several events, he became the #1 javelin thrower in the world in modern competitions. His first world record was 161 feet and 9 3/4 inches in 1899, which was the year prior to his Olympic debut when he placed 4th in high jumping, hammer throwing, and pole vaulting. The javelin throw was not part of the 1900 Olympics. Breaking his own javelin throw record twice, he was a Gold Medalist at the 1904 Athens Olympics with 187 feet and 3 3/4 inches; the 1908 London Olympics, winning both in the orthodox and freestyle event with a total of two Gold Medals; and the 1912 Stockholm Olympics with 196 feet and 8 1/2inches. In the 1906 Olympics, he took two bronze medals in shot put and Pentathlon. Ten times he held the world's record, with his best throw being later in 1912 at 204 feet and 5 1/2 inches, which was ratified by the International Association of Athletics Federations as the first official world record. Being a Swedish Champion 26 times, he made his personal best in hammer throwing and discus throwing in 1917. He continued competing until 1918.
Bio by: Linda Davis
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