Gert Fredriksson

Profession: Canoeist

Nationality:

Biography: Gert Fredriksson was a Swedish canoeist, widely regarded as one of the greatest canoe racers of all time and the greatest Swede Olympian. He dominated the sport in the mid-20th century and is most renowned for his Olympic achievements.

Fredriksson's Olympic career spanned from 1948 to 1960, during which he won a total of eight Olympic medals, six of them gold. His first Olympic appearance was at the 1948 London Games, where he won gold medals in both the K-1 1000 meters and K-1 10,000 meters events. He continued his Olympic success in 1952 in Helsinki, defending his title in the K-1 1000 meters and winning another gold in the K-1 10,000 meters as well as a bronze medal in the K-2 1000 meters event.

In the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, Fredriksson added two more gold medals to his collection, winning the K-1 1000 meters for the third consecutive time and the K-2 1000 meters with his partner Lars Glassér. His final Olympic appearance was at the 1960 Rome Games, where he earned a silver medal in the K-1 1000 meters.

Apart from his Olympic success, Fredriksson also had a notable career in the World Championships, where he won seven gold medals, as well as the Swedish championships, where he won a total of 71 medals over the course of his career.

Born: December 21, 1919
Birthplace: Nyköping, Sweden

Generation: Greatest Generation
Chinese Zodiac: Goat/Sheep
Star Sign: Sagittarius

Died: July 5, 2006 (aged 86)