Jan-Ove Waldner
Waldner Named 2005 "Swede in the World"
Jan-Ove Waldner, former Olympic and world champion in table tennis, has been chosen as this year’s ”Swede in the World.”
Awarded by the Association of Swedes in the World, the group motivated their choice saying Waldner is” internationally known for his extraordinary efforts as an athlete in the world of table tennis.”
Waldner, who earlier this week announced his retirement, won the men’s singles title at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and the world championships in Manchester in 1997.
Previous winners of the ”Swede in the World” award include chidlren’s author Astrid Lindgren, football coach Sven-Göran Eriksson, and last year’s winner, European Union Commissioner Margot Wallström.
