Københavns Idræts Forening
Encyclopedia
Københavns Idræts Forening (abbreviated Københavns IF, KIF) is a Danish
athletics club based in the Østerbro
district of Copenhagen
.
The club is based at the Østerbro Stadium and the indoor Club Danmark Hallen in Valby
. The club was founded in 1892 as Københavns Fodsports-Forening—the club adopted its current name in 1914—and is Denmark's oldest athletics club.
37 members of Københavns Idræts Forening have competed at the Olympic Games
. Niels Holst-Sørensen
, one of the club's athletes, won a gold medal in the 400 metres
at the 1946 European Athletics Championships in Oslo
. Gunnar Nielsen
another of the club's athletes was 1955 world record holder at 1500 metres with 3.40.8.
By the time of its centenary in 1992, the club's members had won a total of 575 gold medals at the Danish championships—the club is second only to Sparta
in the number of Danish champions that it has produced.
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
athletics club based in the Østerbro
Østerbro
Østerbro is one of the 10 official districts of Copenhagen, Denmark. It is located just north of the city centre, outside the old city gate Østerport which, after it was moved around 1700, used to be located close to present-day Østerport Station...
district of Copenhagen
Copenhagen
Copenhagen is the capital and largest city of Denmark, with an urban population of 1,199,224 and a metropolitan population of 1,930,260 . With the completion of the transnational Øresund Bridge in 2000, Copenhagen has become the centre of the increasingly integrating Øresund Region...
.
The club is based at the Østerbro Stadium and the indoor Club Danmark Hallen in Valby
Valby
' is one of the 10 official districts of Copenhagen, Denmark. Located in the southwestern corner of Copenhagen Municipality, it is a heterogeneous mixture of different types of housing - including apartment blocks, terraced housing, areas with single-family houses and allotments, as well as remains...
. The club was founded in 1892 as Københavns Fodsports-Forening—the club adopted its current name in 1914—and is Denmark's oldest athletics club.
37 members of Københavns Idræts Forening have competed at the Olympic Games
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
. Niels Holst-Sørensen
Niels Holst-Sørensen
Niels Holst-Sørensen is a former Danish athlete and air force officer. He served as the commander-in-chief of the Royal Danish Air Force from 1970-1982 and Denmark's military representative to NATO from 1982-1986...
, one of the club's athletes, won a gold medal in the 400 metres
400 metres
The 400 metres, or 400 metre dash, is a common sprinting event in track and field competitions. It has been featured in the athletics programme at the Summer Olympics since 1896 . On a standard outdoor running track, it is exactly one lap around the track. Runners start in staggered positions and...
at the 1946 European Athletics Championships in Oslo
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
. Gunnar Nielsen
Gunnar Nielsen (athlete)
Niels Gunnar Nielsen was a Danish middle distance runner who equalled the world record over both 880 yards and 1500 metres. He represented the Østerbro-based club Københavns Idræts Forening throughout his career....
another of the club's athletes was 1955 world record holder at 1500 metres with 3.40.8.
By the time of its centenary in 1992, the club's members had won a total of 575 gold medals at the Danish championships—the club is second only to Sparta
Sparta (Athletic club)
Sparta Atletik is a Danish track and field club, and one of the leading clubs in Denmark.The club is known for winning the major part of the individual medals at the Danish championships, and having the most athletes represented on the different national teams.The most famous athlete ever to have...
in the number of Danish champions that it has produced.
Famous athletes
- Christian Christensen
- Vilhelm GylcheVilhelm GylcheVilhelm Emanuel Jakob Gylche was a Danish track and field athlete who competed in the 1912 Summer Olympics.He was born in Copenhagen and died in Gentofte....
- Mogens GuldbergMogens GuldbergMogens Guldberg is a former middle distance runner from Denmark, who represented his native country at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. There he was eliminated in the semifinals of the 1500 metres. He represented Sparta.He finished twelfth at the 1990 European Championships...
- Niels Holst-SørensenNiels Holst-SørensenNiels Holst-Sørensen is a former Danish athlete and air force officer. He served as the commander-in-chief of the Royal Danish Air Force from 1970-1982 and Denmark's military representative to NATO from 1982-1986...
- Valther JensenValther JensenValther Valdemar Jensen was a Danish track and field athlete who competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics.In 1920 he finished seventh in the discus throw competition.-External links:*...
- Henrik Jørgensen
- Wilson KipketerWilson KipketerWilson Kosgei Kipketer is a Kenyan born Danish former middle distance runner. He holds the current indoor world records at the 1000 and 800 metres distance. While dominating the 800 m distance for a decade, remaining undefeated for a three-year period and running 8 of the 17 currently all-time...
- Gunnar NielsenGunnar Nielsen (athlete)Niels Gunnar Nielsen was a Danish middle distance runner who equalled the world record over both 880 yards and 1500 metres. He represented the Østerbro-based club Københavns Idræts Forening throughout his career....
- Henry PetersenHenry PetersenHenry Petersen was a Danish athlete who competed mainly in the pole vault.He competed for Denmark in the 1920 Summer Olympics held in Antwerp, Belgium in the pole vault where he won the silver medal behind the gold medal winner Frank Foss....
- Aage RasmussenAage RasmussenAage Rasmussen was a Danish photographer and track and field athlete who competed in the 1912 Summer Olympics.He was born in Frederiksberg and died in Havdrup, Solrød municipality....
- Eugen SchmidtEugen SchmidtEugen Stahl Schmidt was a Danish shooter, athlete, and tug of war competitor. He competed at the 1896 Summer Olympics in Athens and at the 1900 Summer Olympics in Paris....
- Ernst SchultzErnst SchultzErnst Ludvig Emanuel Schultz , born in Horsens, was an early twentieth century Danish athlete who specialised in the 400 metres. He participated at the 1900 Summer Olympics in Paris and won the Bronze medal in the Men's 400 metres event. Member of Københavns Idræts Forening and Hellerup...
- August SørensenAugust SørensenAugust Emanuel Sørensen was a Danish track and field athlete who competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics.He was born in Helsingør and died in Frederiksberg....
- Marinus SørensenMarinus SørensenMarinus Ludwig Sørensen was a Danish track and field athlete who competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics.In 1920 he was a member of the Danish relay team which finished fifth in the 4x100 metre relay competition....