Per Olov Goop, known to most as "Olle", is considered one of the greatest in Swedish trotting.

He fell asleep on Wednesday, 78 years old.

- It felt like a bolt from the blue to take note of the message.

Olle has always been a lively old man with a twinkle in his eye.

So I feel taken.

It feels strange that he is no longer with us, says Anders Malmrot.

He says that before tonight's V86 race, Solvalla has already acted to honor Olle Goop with flags on a half pole, drivers who will wear armbands and an initial silent parade.

"He has touched a lot of people"

- We have a routine that when one of our dear colleagues passes away, it is always a silent parade in race one, where you show your respect.

That is what we can do in a situation like this.

Olle Goop was for a long time Sweden's most profitable driver, a title his son Björn took from him in October 2018. As recently as last Friday, he was on site at Färjestad's trotting track to see his son Björn compete.

- Together with Stig H Johansson, he was one of the greats for such a long time.

There are so many who have been brought up in his school and worked for him and he has won all these big races.

He has touched many people.

The trotting world would have been much poorer if Olle Goop had not existed, says Anders Malmrot.

FROM THE ARCHIVE: Pictures from Goop's successful career.

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From the archive: Olle Goop's successful career