Axel Fredrik Londen

Axel Fredrik Londen was probably entered for the trap event at the 1908 Olympics but did not start. For years later at Stockholm he competed in the trap and running target, single shot events, winning bronze in the team event of the latter.

Londen was chairman of the Suomen Metsästysyhdistys shooting club between 1911-17. Later, he acted as first executive manager of the Finnish Hunters’ Association (1922-27), he himself being an avid big game hunter. In addition, he was editor of the outdoors magazine Metsästys ja Kalastus (Hunting and Fishing) and author of books on the subjects. Londen was a member of the board of the Finnish Olympic Committee in 1907-08, and between 1911-13.

The son of a vicar, Londen obtained a masters’ degree in law in 1886 and three years later became a “varatuomari” (deputy judge) before becoming a businessman in Helsinki. Londen was also engaged in politics, acting for a short spell as mayor of Ekenäs. He also held various public positions including secretary of the Finnish Maritime Administration from 1924 up to his death.