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

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

Vienna, a place that has experienced many sporting highlights in the past, was the venue for a very special competition 70 years ago. In 1955, the sixth international postman's competition took place at the WAC Square 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 bag that characterizes 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 historic event today.

A standout athlete in this competition was Åke Söderlund from Sweden, who won the competition with an impressive time of 1 hour, 25 minutes and 48 seconds. Not only was this his third consecutive victory, but he was also a notable professional athlete, competing in walking at the 1952, 1960 and 1964 Olympics. With a height of 185 cm and a weight of 73 kg, Söderlund was one of the best walkers of his time. His sporting career shows how far walking is recognized as an Olympic discipline in athletics.

Åke Söderlund: A person of records

Åke Wilhelm Söderlund, born April 11, 1925 in Stockholm, is often considered one of the most outstanding walkers of 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 walker, which shows some talent in the family. In 1964, Åke Söderlund came 18th in the 20 km race at the Olympic Games, while he won two medals in the 50 km race at the IAAF World Race Walking Cup - a bronze in 1961 also speaks of his strength.

The discipline of walking itself has undergone an interesting development over the years. The 50 km walk became an Olympic event as early as 1932, followed by the introduction of the 20 km walk in 1956. Walking is a special sport in which the technical rules require strict contact with the ground and the straightening of the front leg when landing. These rules make walking a demanding discipline that is highly regarded in athletics. Still, walking is not without its challenges: breaking the rules can lead to disqualifications, and monitoring compliance with the rules is often fraught with problems.

A look back at a special tradition

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

The postman race is therefore more than just a sporting event. It is a part of Vienna's history that should not be forgotten. The footprints of the participants back then and especially the achievements of Åke Söderlund could already be an inspiration for future generations of athletes.