Tomas Gustafson

Sven Tomas Gustafson ( born December 28, 1959 in Katrine Holm ) is a former Swedish speed skater.

Sports career

With 20 years of Gustafson was able to achieve in 1979 a first success in the all-around European Championships with fourth place. At the 1980 Olympic Games in Lake Placid, he finished the 1500-meter seventh.

In 1982 he became European Champion in the all around. At these championships he placed in the 10,000 meters at a world record. In 1983 he was behind Rolf Falk- Larssen second in the all-around world championships. Gustafson had indeed won the most points, but Larssen had won three of four routes. This presented him with the then rules to victory. After the World Championships, the rules were corrected on the basis of this result, so that in 1984 the rule was abolished with the three victories.

At the 1984 Olympic Games in Sarajevo, he won over 5000 meters gold medal in front of Igor Malkov. Over 10,000 meters he finished second behind Malkow.

In 1988, he won all four distances at the European Championships in the all around and was therefore a favorite for the Olympic Games in Calgary. Over 5000 and 10,000 meters could Gustafson lived up to meet each and won the gold medal. He was awarded the Svenska Dagbladet Gold Medal - For this achievement, winning the Radiosportens Jerringpris.

In 1992 he joined again at the Olympic Games, but was only able to occupy the thirteenth place in Albertville. Then he stepped away from competitive sports.

Gustafson is married to the former curler Elisabet Gustafson.