Gunnar Nielsen (athlete)

Gunnar Nielsen ( Niels Gunnar Nielsen, born March 25, 1928 in Copenhagen, † May 29, 1985 ibid ) was a Danish middle-distance runner.

At the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki, he was in 1:49,7 min fourth over 800 m, coinciding with the German Heinz Ulzheimer, won the bronze.

In 1954 he won at the European Athletics Championships in Bern Silver 1500 m. In the same year he presented on 30 September in Copenhagen with 1:48,6 min the world record over 880 yards a.

In 1955 a world indoor record in the mile run ( 4:03,6 min). In the fall, he presented a 3:40,8 min the world record over 1500 m.

At the Olympic Games in Melbourne in 1956 he won the lead about 800 meters, but decided not to compete in the semifinals. Over 1500 meters he finished tenth in the final race of his career.

About 800 meters he was eight successive Danish champion ( 1949-1956 ), more than 1500 five times ( 1952-1956 ).

Personal Best

• 800 m: 1:47,5 min, August 4, 1955, Copenhagen
• 1500 m: 3:40,8 min, September 6, 1955, Oslo
• 1 miles: 3.59,1 min, June 1, 1956, Compton Hall: 4:03,6 min, February 5, 1955, New York City