70 years ago: Postmen from Europe fight for victory in the Prater!

70 years ago: Postmen from Europe fight for victory in the Prater!

Leopoldstadt, Österreich - Vienna, a place that has experienced many sporting highlights in the past, was the scene of a very special competition 70 years ago. In 1955, the sixth international betting of the posters took place on WAC-Platz in the famous Prater, which was contested by around 50 postmen from ten European nations. The participants had to cover a distance of 15 kilometers in their original uniform, including the heavy leather pocket, which shapes the image of every postman. This unusual event was documented by the "Austria Wochenschau", which was present in cinemas until 1982, and so we can still take a look at this historical event today.

An outstanding athlete of this competition was Åke Söderlund from Sweden, who won the competition with an impressive time of 1 hour, 25 minutes and 48 seconds. This was not only his third victory in a row, but he was also a remarkable professional athlete who took part in the 1952, 1960 and 1964 Olympics. With a size of 185 cm and a weight of 73 kg, Söderlund was one of the best of his time. His sporting career shows how far going, as an Olympic discipline in which athletics is recognized.

Åke Söderlund: A person of records

Åke Wilhelm Söderlund, born on April 11, 1925 in Stockholm, is often seen as one of the most outstanding walkers in his era. In addition to his Olympic participation, he can look back on many successes in Europe, including numerous medals in the Nordic walking competitions. Interestingly, his twin brother Erik Söderlund was also an elite gatherer, which reveals a certain talent in the family. In 1964, Åke Söderlund reached 18th place at the 20 km race at the Olympic Games, while he was able to win no precious metal in the 50 km race at the IAAF World Race Walking Cup - a bronze in 1961 also tells of its strength.

The discipline of walking itself has taken an interesting development over the years. As early as 1932, the 50 km walking was Olympic, followed by the introduction of 20 km going in 1956. Going is a special sport in which the technical rules require strict contact with the ground and stretching the front leg when putting on. These rules make walking a demanding discipline that is highly viewed in athletics. Nevertheless, walking does not without challenges: violations of the rule can lead to disqualifications, and monitoring compliance with the rules is often affected.

A look back at a special tradition

The event in the Prater not only symbolizes the competition spirit of the postman, but also illustrates the tradition of walking in European sports culture. While the sporting landscape has changed in the past 70 years, go as an Olympic discipline remains relevant. With the introduction of new competition distances and categories, such as the marathon in walking, which will be held in Paris in 2024 as part of a mixed relay, this discipline shows that it remains dynamic and adapts to the modern sporting challenges.

The betting of the postmen is more than just a sporting event. It is part of the history of Vienna that should not be forgotten. Already today the footprints of the participants and in particular the achievements of Åke Söderlund could be inspiration for future generations of athletes.