Picture Courtesy – Wikipedia
The story of the Carlberg brothers demonstrates the incredible connection between brothers and the heights they may reach as a unit
Imagine that you had your twin brother by your side when you had the chance to represent your nation in the Olympics. That's exactly what two brothers from Sweden did in the 1912 Stockholm Olympics. Gustaf Vilhelm Carlberg and Gustaf Eric Carlberg made history by being the first twins to win gold medals at the Olympics.
Vilhelm and Eric Carlberg were born on April 5, 1880, and had other three siblings in the family. They lost their father, who was a veterinarian, when they were only twelve years old.
However, the twins did not allow this to hinder their success and continued on to achieve their goals. Both had become military officers by 1901 and retired with the rank of major. They were disciplined like a military, and this, together with team spirit, boosted their chances of success at the Olympics.
The Carlberg twins’ Olympic story started prior to the 1912 Olympics. Vilhelm participated in the 1908 London Olympics, and both brothers competed at the 1906 International Games in Athens, although these are not considered to be fully official Olympics by the International Olympic Committee. Their success was influenced by these early contests, particularly in the 1912 tournament, where they did so well.
Stockholm 1912 was one of the significant events in the life of the Carlberg brothers. Vilhelm turned out to be the best-performing athlete of the Games and won three gold and two silver medals in shooting contests. His twin, Eric, was no less impressive, achieving two gold and three silver medals. Both of them were excellent at shooting, and they ruled those events.
But the Carlbergs were not just shooters. Vilhelm was very much into gymnastics; he demonstrated gymnastic stunts in the 1906 Olympics and supervised in the 1912 Olympics. While he was a multi-talented sports personality, Eric was a more general sportsman. He took part in fencing and the modern pentathlon, showing his versatility in the field of athletic activities.
Their amazing lives included many triumphs beyond those Olympic Games. Both brothers decided to share their passion for athletics with others by becoming physical education teachers in the same year. The young officer's overseas experience began the following year when he was sent to Iran to train an officer corps. From 1935 until 1958, he was the general consul in Tehran.
Vilhelm got married to singer Elsa Reuter in 1921, while his brother Eric married Elsa Lindell in 1924. They had happy personal lives as they had successful careers. The Carlberg twins’ story continues to be a source of motivation for young athletes, and the unity of the twins is an example of true brotherhood.
The Carlberg brothers are an inspiring example of hardworking and adaptable individuals who have achieved success. The childhood of Vilhelm and Eric, their military careers, the Olympics, and everything that happened to them after all those years—all of that was a perfect example of dedication and victory. Their triumphs in the 1912 Stockholm Olympics were not only a victory of the persons but also a significant success of their nation and the Olympic movement.
