Evert Nilsson

Track and field athlete Evert Nilsson dominated the pentathlon and decathlon in Sweden during the 1920s. In 1920 Nilsson won his first national title in the decathlon before winning back-to-back bronze medals in the event. He then won three more titles (1923, 1925–26), along with a silver medal in 1928. In the pentathlon he was the Swedish champion from 1921 to 1923 and won two silver medals (1925–26).

Nilsson competed in the decathlon and pentathlon at the 1920 Antwerpen Olympics where he finished fifth and tenth, respectively. Four years later he competed in both events at the 1924 Paris Olympics where he placed ninth in the pentathlon. In the decathlon, however, he caused a scandal when he got drunk and got into a fight with the leaders of the event. He failed to record a mark in the fourth event, the high jump, and withdrew from the competition.

After his sporting career Nilsson worked as a coach for the Swedish Sports Confederation and later worked as an instructor in Iceland. He had a big allegiance to Finland where he worked as a volunteer in the country during the Winter War. Nilsson donated a large amount of his prize collection, which was sold to help support the Finnish people.

Personal Best: Dec – 6142 (1925).