1,500 metres, Men

Judging by the times skated in the 1924 season, the Finns were the major favorites for the 1500 m gold. The fastest non-Finn, Harald Strøm, had been more than six seconds slower than Clas Thunberg. With Thunberg’s form from the first day of Olympic speed skating (bronze in the 500 m and gold in the 5000 m), there was little doubt that he would win the “metric mile” as well.

Thunberg was the first of the favorites to hit the ice, with no serious times posted at that moment. His opponent was Roald Larsen, who had the same time as Thunberg in the 500 m and shared the bronze. They would produce the fastest race of the competition, Thunberg winning in 2:20.8. Next up was Norwegian Sigurd Moen, who would later be an eternal 4th place at international championships. He did make the Olympic podium, even if his time was nearly five seconds slower than Thunberg’s and more than 3 seconds slower than Larsen’s. Of the remaining medal contenders, Asser Wallenius fell, while 500 m champion Jewtraw blew himself up with a quick start. A fast race between Julius Skutnabb (FIN) and Harald Strøm (NOR) was only sufficient for 4th and 5th.

Silver medallist Roald Larsen would later turn out to be the “man of the year” in speed skating. He won the “treble”, emerging victorious in the World, European and Norwegian championships.