The Olympiakul (which translates to Olympic Fun) Poster was produced by Semic Press in Sweden in 1976. The one-sided centerfold poster was included as a free special insert (specialbilaga) in Fantomen comic book issue number 16. The front cover of this edition notifies readers of this poster inclusion, noting the lower part, “Special Attachment In The Middle! Cozy Olympic Poster”.
Set against a bright yellow background with vibrant cartoon illustrations, the poster presents a humorous, lighthearted look back at quirky historical anecdotes, trivia, and memorable moments from various Olympic Games leading up to the 1976 Montreal Olympics. The heading seen at the top of the poster translated to English reads “Fantomen Presents: Olympic”.
The poster is packed with entertaining panels and text blocks highlighting eccentric athletic feats and oddities from Olympic history. Prominently featured stories include tales of early 20th-century Swedish athletes, such as middle-distance runner Eric Backman, noted for his relaxed training habits, which reportedly included puffing on a cigar while running laps and Shizo Kanakuri, the Japanese marathon runner from the 1972 Stockholm Olympics who famously stopped during the race to refresh himself and didn’t officially finish the course until decades later.
Other sections showcase legendary rivalries, such as the fierce swimming duels between Swedish swimmer Arne Borg and Johnny Weissmuller (who later achieved fame playing Tarzan), alongside illustrations of standout Swedish gold medalists like Torsten Ullman, Ulrich Salchow, Gillis Grafström, Gert Fredriksson, and John Mikaelsson. The poster also humorously touches upon incredible records like Bob Beamon’s staggering 8.90-meter long jump at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, playfully questioning whether he must have had helium in his shoes, before looking ahead with tongue-in-cheek anticipation toward the upcoming Montreal games.