Judges at the Nordic Games in 1909

In February 1909 the Swedish weekly Hvar 8 Dag published this photo (here with my colouring) of two judges at the Nordic Games - precursors to the Olympic Winter Games:

"The Nordic Games was the first international multi-sport event that focused primarily on winter sports, and was held at varying intervals between 1901 and 1926. It was organized by Sweden’s Central Association for the Promotion of Sports,^[1] and more specifically by Viktor Balck, a member of that association and one of the five original members of the International Olympic Committee. It was, in many ways, a precursor to the modern Winter Olympic Games,^[2] whose success was a contributing factor (along with the social and economic turmoil following World War I) to the Nordic Games's discontinuation in the 1920s." (Wikipedia)

A great evening for windsurfing in Hittarp

Last night the wind here in Hittarp was perfect for the local windsurfers:

Pictures from the Helsingborg Marathon 2014

Yesterday, I watched when the best runners of the first Helsingborg Marathon passed the 36 km mark in Laröd. The winner, Henrik Orre, was in a clear lead already in Laröd.

Below is a small selection of images I shot:

Henrik Orre, the winner of the Helsingborg marathon 2014.

Fredrik Landerup (1643) was 9th and Erik Alnervik (33) 12th in the race.

Johan Jofner, 17th in the race.

Tony Lavesson was 21th in the race.

Karin Axelsson won the women´s race.

Andreas Eggers-Lura (Denmark) was 37th in the race.

Lotta Berling was second in the women´s race.

Andreas Wahlberg, 37th.

Richard Håkansson, 42nd.

Christian Svensson, 41st.

The 9th Eurogym 2014 in Helsingborg

The 9th Eurogym 2014 in Helsingborg was exactly what it was supposed to be:

 

"Performances, workshops and parties, EUROGYM is a huge social non-competitive event for youngsters where everyone is welcome. It starts with an Opening Ceremony “Olympic style”, which is then followed by a gigantic Welcome Party. During the event week the participants will take part in different morning workshops. There are four workshop categories available: gymnastics/acrobatics, dance, fitness and “alternative activities”.

Here are a some happy faces from one of the events:

A member of the Danish team

Members of the Portuguese team posing

These smiling young ladies represented Italy

A member of the Italian team

Two Italian smiles ...

Enjoying the show ...

A member of the Spanish team

Preparing for the performance

The Midnight Run in Helsinki

The Midnights Run in Helsinki was apparently a great success also this year, with over 9000 participants. I shot the picture at the Senate Square last Saturday, as the runners were gathering for the start.

Some runners were waiting for the start at the Cathedral stairs.

Only minutes left to the start.

The Alpine World Ski Championships in Schladming - a great show

Finland's Andreas Romar in action in the downhill comptetition, which was won by Norway's Aksel Lund Svindal. Romar was fifth.

Although I have never done any downhill skiing myself, I find it quite enjoyable to watch the ongoing Alpine World Ski Championships in Schladming, Austria. One cannot but admire the skill and bravery of the participants.

The centenary of the Stockholm Olympics 1912

With the spectacular London Olympics fresh in our memory, I thought it might be of interest to take a look what happened at the Summer Olympic games in Stockholm, a hundred years ago.

Wikipedia gives us the basic facts:

The 1912 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the V Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held inStockholm, Sweden, between 5 May and 27 July 1912. Twenty-eight nations and 2,408 competitors, including 48 women, competed in 102 events in 14 sports. With the exception of tennis (starting on 5 May) and football and shooting (both starting on 29 June), the games were held within a month with an official opening on 6 July. It was the last Olympics to issue solid gold medals and, withJapan's debut, the first time an Asian nation participated. Stockholm was the only bid for the games, and was selected in 1909.

The opening ceremony on 6 July was of course a huge event in Sweden at the time:

A local newspaper reporter described the highlight of the opening ceremony enthusiastically: "Then at last came the maybe most beautiful part of the ceremony - the march of the nations past the Royal stand and around the Stadium. All troups were warmly welcomed  - of course with the Swedes receiving the warmest, and the Finns the next warmest welcome. All over the Stadium people were constantly cheering and waving - to the jaunty Danes, the confident Americans, the numerous Englishmen, the two Japanese, the Chileans, the Australians, the South Africans, and other strangers from far away countries."

The "confident Americans" at the opening ceremony. 

The "jaunty Danes".

In 1912 Finland was still an autonomous Grand Duchy of Imperial Russia, but was allowed to send a team  to the Stockholm olympics.

A Swedish sport writer wrote about the this French "outdoor" tennis player: Mlle Broquedis won the sympathies of the audience because her playing was both skillful and gracious."

The Swedish team - 8 strong policemen - won the gold medal in the rope pulling contest. What a pity that tug of war - or rope pulling - is no more part of the Olympics! Maybe it could be re-introduced?

Neither is long jump from a standing position anymore an Olympic discipline. This picture shows the start  position of the Stockholm gold medal winner, Mr. Tsiclitiras from Greece.

The winner of the high jump competition,  Mr. Richards from the U.S.A. 

The Swedish pole jumper B. Uggla  won a  bronze  medal with this jump (3,8 m). 

The American R.W. Rose won the gold medal in  shot put with  to arms.

The British gold medal team in 400 swimming for ladies. 

The winner of the 100 m free style swim competition, American Duke Kahanamoku was looking cool already 100  yars ago.

The Finn Kolehmainen, who won both the 5000 and 10000 m competitions, became a great hero in his homeland.

These two well dressed gentlemen - King Gustav of Sweden  and  the  Crown  Prince - are on their way to the  prize ceremony. 

This proud Finnish football (soccer) team beat Italy - after 2 x 15 min. extra time - with 3-2. That was probably the first and only time Finland has beaten Italy in football!

Norway's Magda, the winner of the 12 m class in sailing.