Thorsten Johansson

During the 1970s in Sweden Thorsten Johansson was one of the best sprinters in the country, winning multiple titles and setting several Swedish records. Johansson won his first national title in 1971 with victory in the 100 metres. He went on to win the title again in 1973, but it was in the 200 metres that he had his most success. From 1973 to 1978 Johansson was the Swedish champion in the event and set a national record in 1976 of 20.61 seconds. The record was equalled in 1995 when Lars Hedner ran the same time, but it was not broken until 1999 until Torbjörn Eriksson ran 20.58 seconds.

Johansson also won multiple national titles in relay races with gold in the 4 x 100 metres (1972–77) and the 4 x 400 metres (1977–78). He ran in his favoured event of the 200 metres at the 1976 Montréal Olympics, but his national performances did not turn into international success. Despite finishing in second place in his opening heat, Johansson then finished in fifth place in the quarter-final heat and was eliminated from the competition.

Personal Best: 200 – 20.61 (1976).