Stamford Bridge, London, UK, July 1–2, 1921
In early July, the English Championships (AAA) took place at Stamford Bridge Stadium in London, perhaps better known in soccer circles. The Swedes won seven championships. Antwerp's 800 and 1500 meters Olympic champion Albert Hill achieved the most impressive result, clocking 4:13.2 for the mile, a season's best globally and a new championship record (equivalent to about 3:57 in the 1500m).
Liverpool veteran Howard Baker cemented his status as Britain’s greatest high jumper to date. He secured his sixth national title in the event, placing him well ahead of the field in the record books.
The Swedes gathered a handful of trophies from London. Bertil Jansson won the shot put, Folke Janson the triple jump, Oscar Zallhagen the discus, Carl-Axel Christiernsson the 400-meter hurdles (with a meet record of 55.4), Carl Johan "Massa" Lind the hammer throw, and Ernfrid Rydberg the pole vault (with a meet record of 3.71 meters, 12-2). Gunnar Lindström also managed to set a respectable meet record of 62.48 (205-0).
Janson saw off his rivals with clinical ease at the triple jump pit. He left the silver medallist trailing by a good 86 centimetres – a margin of victory quite unlike anything seen before in the history of the AAA Championships.
The Finnish team was supposed to travel at the end of June to the English Athletics Championships, which, in the absence of official European Championships, were regarded in the 1920s as the continent’s unofficial championship event. However, the trip fell through due to a lack of funds. Javelin thrower Jonni Myyrä was left waiting alone for the ship in Hanko, scratching his head as no other team members were anywhere to be seen. Only later was he informed that the trip had been cancelled.
Originally, Paavo Nurmi was expected to compete in Paris after the English Championships. The French organisers would have funded the team’s travel expenses. However, Nurmi complained about his poor condition and refused to travel to Paris. This dampened the hosts' interest, and the entire tour was cancelled.
Medalists (GBR Athletics)
Idrottsbladet 4.7.1921 (in Swedish)
Suomen Urheilulehti, July 14, 1921 (cover story, in Finnish)