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Sonja Edström facts for kids

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Sonja Edström SOK.jpg
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Personal information
Born (1930-12-18)18 December 1930
Luleå, Sweden
Died 15 October 2020(2020-10-15) (aged 89)
Luleå, Sweden
Sport
Sport Cross-country skiing
Club Luleå SK
Medal record
Women's cross-country skiing
Representing  Sweden
Event 1st 2nd 3rd
Olympic Games 1 0 2
World Championships 0 0 2
Total 1 0 4
Olympic Games
Gold 1960 Squaw Valley 3 × 5 km relay
Bronze 1956 Cortina d'Ampezzo 10 km
Bronze 1956 Cortina d'Ampezzo 3 × 5 km relay
World Championships
Bronze 1954 Falun 3 × 5 km relay
Bronze 1958 Lahti 3 × 5 km relay

Sonja Viola Edström-Ruthström (Edström before 1960, 18 November 1930 – 15 October 2020) was a Swedish cross-country skier. She competed at the 1952, 1956, and 1960 Olympics in the 10 km and 3 × 5 km relay events and won bronze medals in both in 1956; in 1960 she finished fifth in the 10 km, but won the 3 × 5 km relay.

Edström also won two 3 × 5 km relay bronze medals at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in 1954 and 1958. She won the 10 km event at the Holmenkollen ski festival in 1956. In 1953–1960, she collected 12 individual and three relay national titles.

Edström was born in a family of six siblings, and was mostly raised by her father, as her mother fell seriously ill when Edström was six years old. At 14 she started working as a maid, and at 16 as a bottles cleaner at the Luleå Brewery. She was later a nurse at a Luleå hospital for more than 30 years.

Cross-country skiing results

All results are sourced from the International Ski Federation (FIS).

Olympic Games

  • 3 medals – (1 gold, 2 bronze)
 Year   Age   10 km   3 × 5 km 
 relay 
1952 21 11 N/A
1956 25 Bronze Bronze
1960 29 5 Gold

World Championships

  • 2 medals – (2 bronze)
 Year   Age   10 km   3 × 5 km 
 relay 
1954 23 Bronze
1958 27 22 Bronze
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