Kjell Bäckman facts for kids
Kjell Hilding Bäckman, often called "Tjalle," was a famous Swedish speed skater. He was born on February 21, 1934, and passed away on January 9, 2019. Kjell Bäckman was known for his amazing long-distance skating skills.
Contents
Kjell Bäckman: A Swedish Speed Skating Star
Early Life and Skating Journey
Kjell Bäckman grew up in Sweden. He became very good at speed skating, which is a sport where people race on ice using special skates. He trained hard to become one of the best long-distance skaters of his time.
Olympic Glory in 1960
One of Kjell Bäckman's biggest achievements was competing in the 1960 Winter Olympics. This big sports event took place in 1960. He took part in two long-distance races: the 5000 meter and the 10000 meter events.
Breaking Records at the Olympics
In the 10000 meter race, Kjell Bäckman won a bronze medal. This was a huge success for him and for Sweden. What made this even more special was that all three medal winners in that race, including Kjell, broke the old world record!
National Championships
Kjell Bäckman also won many important races in Sweden. He won four national long-distance titles. He was the champion in the 5000 meter race in 1959 and 1961. He also won the 10000 meter race in 1959 and 1960. These wins showed he was one of the top speed skaters in his country.
