Henrik Sjöberg

At the time of the 1896 Athína Olympics the Kingdom of Sweden was in state union with Norway. While Norway did not participate at the Athína Games, Henrik Sjöberg was Sweden’s sole representative, therefore becoming the first Swedish athlete to compete at the modern Olympics. With no national Olympic committee existing in Sweden at the time, Sjöberg funded half of his trip to the Olympics himself, with the other half coming from the Stockholm Amateur Association.

Sjöberg was an all-round athlete who competed in athletics and gymnastics at the Athína Games. His best performance came in the high jump where he finished in fourth place with 1.60 metres. Sjöberg competed in the long jump and the discus throw, but his distances were not recorded in either event, and he was eliminated in the heats of the 100 metres. He was also scheduled to participate in the 110 metres hurdles, but did not start the race. As a gymnast Sjöberg competed in the horse vault, but again his score was not recorded. Two years after the Olympics Sjöberg won gold in the javelin throw at the Swedish championships.

In August 1905 Sjöberg sadly died after he drowned in a swimming accident in Helsingør, Denmark. He was 30-years-old.

Personal Bests: 100 – 12.4 (1892); HJ – 1.78 (1895); LJ – 6.09 (1892); DT – 26.48 (1894).