Henry Jonsson

Throughout the 1930s Henry Jonsson dominated distance running in Sweden, winning multiple titles along with setting several national and international records. Jonsson was born in the town of Stugun but spent most of his early life living in Kälarne, with him being referred to as Henry Kälarne. As a result, he later changed his name to Henry Kälarne. He won his first medals at the Swedish championships in 1934 with silver in the cross-country race and bronze in the 5,000 metres, before winning gold in both events the following year. Jonsson won further titles in the 1,500 metres (1936, 1940), 5,000 metres (1937–39), and the cross-country race (1936–39).

Jonsson won bronze in the 5,000 metres at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, finishing just behind the Finnish pair of Gunnar Höckert and Lauri Lehtinen. Two years later he went one better by winning silver at the 1938 European Athletics Championships in Paris, where he ran under the name Henry Kälarne. He set world records in the 2,000 metres and 3,000 metres in 1937 and 1940, respectively, with the latter standing until compatriot Gunder Hägg broke it in 1942. Jonsson also set Swedish records in both the 3,000 and 5,000 metres, before being forced to retire from the sport in 1941 due to injuries. Despite no longer competing in athletics, Jonsson, along with Hägg and Arne Andersson were all given life-long bans from the sport in 1946 for violating amateur regulations.

Personal Best: 5000 – 14:18.8 (1939).