John Zander

John Adolf Fredrik Zander (31 January 1890 – 9 June 1967) was a Swedish middle-distance runner who competed at the 1912 and 1920 Summer Olympics in the 1500 m and 3000 m events.

John Zander

Personal information
Born	31 January 1890 Stockholm, Sweden
Died	9 June 1967 (aged 77) Stockholm, Sweden
Height	1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Weight	66 kg (146 lb)
Sport
Sport	Athletics
Event(s)	800–10000 m
Club	Mariebergs IK, Stockholm
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)	800 m – 1:58.2 (1916) 1500 m – 3:54.7 (1917) Mile – 4:16.8 (1918) 5000 m – 14:57.5 (1918) 10000 m – 32:59.8 (1915)[1]

In 1912 he finished seventh and tenth, respectively. Although his 3,000 m team placed second he did not receive a medal because only three best runners from a team were counted, while he was fourth. The 1916 Olympics were cancelled due to World War I. At the 1920 Games Zander failed to finish his 1500 m race. He helped Sweden to qualify for the final in the 3000 metre team race but he did not run in the final, in which Sweden won the bronze medal.[2]

Nationally Zander won 10 Swedish titles, in the 800 m (1912–13), 1,500 m (1913, 1915–18), steeplechase (1915) and 5,000 m (1917–18). He also won one mile race at the English AAA Championship; 3,000 and 5,000 m events at the 1914 Baltic Games, and four events at the 1916 Swedish Games. He semi-retired in 1918, and had a rib injury while preparing for the 1920 Olympics. During his career he set Swedish records in the 1,500 and 5,000 m and world records over 1,500, 2,000 and 3,000 metres. In retirement he worked as an actuary for the Pension Board in Stockholm.[2][3]

References

Media related to John Zander at Wikimedia Commons

1. John Zander. trackfield.brinkster.net
2. John Zander. sports-reference
3. John Zander. Swedish Olympic Committee

Records
Preceded by Abel Kiviat	Men's 1,500 m World Record Holder 5 August 1917 – 19 June 1924	Succeeded by Paavo Nurmi
Preceded by Hannes Kolehmainen	Men's 3,000 m World Record Holder 12 July 1917 – 27 August 1922	Succeeded by Paavo Nurmi
Preceded by —	European Record Holder Men's 1500m 5 August 1917 – 18 June 1924	Succeeded by Paavo Nurmi