Sports Sweden has grief.
Skating school legend Jonny Nilsson has died.
He turned 79 years old.
The icon Jonny Nilsson has passed away. He died during the night until Tuesday earlier this week after a period of illness. Nilsson suffered from prostate cancer that had spread, and became 79 years old.
Successful career
It is without a doubt one of Sweden’s foremost athletes of all time who has now left us. He broke through in the early 60’s and took World Cup gold in 10,000 meters of skates already as a 19-year-old in Moscow in 1962.
It was just the beginning of what would be a hugely successful career, where Jonny Nilsson was totally dominant throughout the 60’s. The legend won a total of six World Cup golds, three European Championship golds and one Olympic gold in Innsbruck in 1964.
Became hugely popular
Jonny Nilsson broke five world records during his time as active, and in 1963 received a truly glorious award. He was awarded a achievement medal for this year’s performance by a Swedish athlete after a great success year. The Swede took three World Cup golds – where all of the times were new world records.
The skating school legend was hugely popular at home in Sweden during the 60’s, and was voted Sweden’s most popular person.
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