February 14 in Swedish History

Sweden receives its first ever Olympic gold medal in a Winter Olympics. 

  • On February 14, 1928, Swedish cross country skier Per-Erik “Särna” Hedlund wins Sweden’s first Winter Olympics gold medal. Above: Särna after the historic win in St. Moritz. Särna also won Vasaloppet (the Vasa ski race) the same year.
  • February 14 in Swedish History
    1928: Sweden receives its first ever gold medal in a Winter Olympics thanks to Per-Erik “Särna” Hedlund, who wins the 50 kilometer (31 miles) ski event at the games in St. Moritz, and thus beats the silver medalist, fellow Swede Gustaf Jonsson with 13 minutes and 27 seconds. Hedlund’s margin of victory is unequaled in Olympic history. In the 18 kilometer event he finishes sixth. While competing, he wears a white outfit and red cap.
    In honor of this victory, Swedish Nordic skiers wore white uniforms and red caps at every Winter Olympics for the next 48 years. Per-Erik “Särna” Hedlund was born in Särnaheden (therefore his nickname) in 1897 and died in 1975.

  • Upcoming events and Swedish medal hopefuls at the 2014 Winter Olympic games in Sochi