Career
He competed in the 400 m and 4×400 m relay at the 1960 Summer Olympics, but failed to reach the finals. He finished fifth and third in these events at the 1958 European Athletics Championships. Petersson started as a long jumper with a personal best of 7.31 m.
He then changed to 100–800 m running events, winning the national 400 m title in 1955, 1957-1958 and 1960 and setting a national record in 1958 over this distance.
