Photo: Unknown photographer — Public domainSource
Robert Selfelt
- May 22, 1903
- August 24, 1987
- 84 years
About Robert Selfelt
Robert Selfelt, 84, Swedish army officer and Olympic horse rider (1948).
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60 Seconds Life Story
Johan Robert Selfelt was a distinguished Swedish Army officer who left a lasting mark on the equestrian world.
Robert Selfelt
1903 – 1987
60 Seconds: Robert Selfelt's Life Story
A look at the life of Swedish Army officer and Olympic equestrian medalist Robert Selfelt.
Transcript
Johan Robert Selfelt was a distinguished Swedish Army officer who left a lasting mark on the equestrian world. Born in 1903, he dedicated his life to both military service and the discipline of horse riding. His skill truly shone at the 1948 Summer Olympics held in London. There, Selfelt achieved remarkable success by winning an individual bronze medal in eventing. He also secured a silver medal as part of the Swedish team during those same games. By 1949, he had advanced to the rank of major in the military reserve. Throughout his career, he earned recognition as a Knight of the Order of the Sword and the Order of Vasa. Robert Selfelt passed away in 1987 at the age of eighty-four, leaving behind a celebrated legacy of service and sport.
Play the illustrated life story above, or read the full biography on this page.
Visual credits: Unknown photographer (Public domain) · British Favourite, Maureen Gardner. Olympic Games, London, 1948. (No restrictions) · The fifth Olympiad: the Official Report of the Olympic Games of Stockholm 1912 printed in Stockholm in 1913 (Public domain) · defenseimagery.mil (Public domain) · Own work (Public domain) · Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0)
An illustrated presentation assembled inside the archive from the approved script and the credited images: narration, scene transitions and captions. Caption timing is estimated from the narration.
Narrated illustration. Images are sourced and credited; they are not presented as authenticated photographs.
Full Biography
|Johan Robert Selfelt (22 May 1903 – 24 August 1987) was a Swedish Army officer and horse rider. He competed at the 1948 Summer Olympics and won an individual bronze and team silver medals in eventing.
Selfelt became major in the reserve in 1949.
Awards and decorations
- Knight of the Order of the Sword
- Knight of the Order of Vasa
Content from Wikipedia — licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
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Sources
- Wikipedia
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Selfelt
- CC BY-SA 4.0
- Sep 26, 2026
- View article
- View record
- October 24, 2026
- Sep 26, 2026
Trivia & Knowledge· 13 questions
Questions drawn from Robert Selfelt's archived record and the sources above.
1.In what year was Johan Robert Selfelt born?
- A.1908
- B.1915
- C.1912
- D.1903correct
Johan Robert Selfelt was born on 22 May 1903.
Source: biography introduction
2.What specific sport did Johan Robert Selfelt compete in at the 1948 Summer Olympics?
- A.Eventingcorrect
- B.Polo
- C.Show jumping
- D.Dressage
Johan Robert Selfelt competed in eventing at the 1948 Summer Olympics.
Source: biography introduction
3.What rank did Johan Robert Selfelt reach in the reserve in 1949?
- A.Captain
- B.Lieutenant
- C.Majorcorrect
- D.Colonel
Johan Robert Selfelt became a major in the reserve in 1949.
Source: biography introduction
4.Which of these honors was bestowed upon Johan Robert Selfelt?
- A.Knight of the Order of Saint John
- B.Knight of the Order of the Swordcorrect
- C.Knight of the Order of the Polar Star
- D.Knight of the Order of the Seraphim
Johan Robert Selfelt was awarded the title of Knight of the Order of the Sword.
Source: awards and decorations section
5.What military organization was Johan Robert Selfelt a part of?
- A.Swedish Air Force
- B.Swedish Navy
- C.Swedish Armycorrect
- D.Swedish Home Guard
Johan Robert Selfelt was a Swedish Army officer.
Source: biography introduction
6.What medal did Johan Robert Selfelt win individually at the 1948 Summer Olympics?
- A.None
- B.Silver
- C.Gold
- D.Bronzecorrect
Johan Robert Selfelt won an individual bronze medal in eventing at the 1948 Summer Olympics.
Source: biography introduction
7.In what year did Johan Robert Selfelt pass away?
- A.1995
- B.1987correct
- C.1992
- D.1980
Johan Robert Selfelt died on 24 August 1987.
Source: biography introduction
8.Which order was Johan Robert Selfelt a knight of, besides the Order of the Sword?
- A.Order of Merit
- B.Order of the Crown
- C.Order of Vasacorrect
- D.Order of Dannebrog
Johan Robert Selfelt was a Knight of the Order of Vasa.
Source: awards and decorations section
9.What was Johan Robert Selfelt's role besides being a horse rider?
- A.Swedish Army officercorrect
- B.School teacher
- C.Diplomat
- D.Journalist
Johan Robert Selfelt served as a Swedish Army officer.
Source: biography introduction
10.At what event did Johan Robert Selfelt win team silver?
- A.1948 Summer Olympicscorrect
- B.1952 Summer Olympics
- C.1936 Summer Olympics
- D.1956 Summer Olympics
Johan Robert Selfelt won a team silver medal at the 1948 Summer Olympics.
Source: biography introduction
11.What month did Johan Robert Selfelt pass away in?
- A.July
- B.Augustcorrect
- C.June
- D.May
Johan Robert Selfelt died on 24 August 1987.
Source: biography introduction
12.In what month was Johan Robert Selfelt born?
- A.Maycorrect
- B.March
- C.April
- D.June
Johan Robert Selfelt was born on 22 May 1903.
Source: biography introduction
13.What was the nature of the medal Johan Robert Selfelt won in the team category at the 1948 Olympics?
- A.Bronze
- B.Silvercorrect
- C.No medal
- D.Gold
Johan Robert Selfelt won a team silver medal at the 1948 Summer Olympics.
Source: biography introduction
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