| Patrik's childhood was not so happy. When Patrik was 3 years old, his parents devorced and his mother, Birgit took over him. The latchkey child Patrik gradually gives police trouble for shoplifting and other crimes. Then her mother burned her fingers with him and took him to Finnish coach Viljo Nousiainen to rehabilitate him. Nousiainen kept an eye on Patrik's tall figure and taught him high jump. Later Nousiainen remarried to Patrik's mother and serves also as Patrik's father.
Patrik has also challenged long jump and triple jump. In world championships 1987 in Rome he participated both of high and long jump.
After winning worlds in 1987 he had very succesful time. In a meet in Stockholm he build the world record with 2.42 meters. People expected him to win Olympic title next year. But in Seoul he ended up with only bronze.
In 1989 Patrik underwent Achless tendon surgery and his carrier went downhill. At worlds in 1991 he abstained in the middle of final meet and ended up with 7th place. At worlds in 1993 he injured Achiless tendon at warmup arena just before the meet. So he had to undergo surgery again.
But in 1995 he made dramatical comeback at world championships in Göteborg, his hometown and that in stadium near his house. Though he could win none of medals, audience praised the challenge of local hero.
In Feburuary 1997, he became a topic again, but not in the arena. In a clubhouse of Stockholm he made a quarrel with a female rock singer (not famous one). Then the singer threw him a glass. Patrik injured the right side of his face ("I nealy lost my sight", said Patrik) and had to be withdrawn from indoor world championships in Paris.
Patrik was going to worlds in Athens. But injury he received at Swedish TV show made him give up.
In March 1999 Patrik officially anounced his retirement. He has been suffering from back pain that let him sometimes sleepless. Patrik will be coach, not for high jump but for basketball like NBA, to teach "how to jump high". |
Sweden