Lennart Atterwall

Sweden’s Lennart Atterwall was an all-round track and field athlete who specialised in the javelin throw. Atterwall began competing in the javelin in 1931 and won his first national title three years later. This was the beginning of a period of great success in the event for him, as he won a further seven national titles (1935, 1937–41, 1946), along with three silver medals (1942, 1945, 1947), and a bronze (1944). In 1936 he broke the Swedish record before improving it the following year, with his throw of 74.77 metres standing until 1951.

Atterwall just missed out on a medal at the 1936 Berlin Olympics when he finished fourth with a best throw of 69.20 metres. Two years later he finished sixth at the European Championships before winning gold at the 1946 edition in Oslo. Atterwall’s talent did not end with the javelin, as he became the Swedish champion in the pentathlon in 1937 and the decathlon in 1940.

Personal Best: JT – 75.10 (1937).