Bjørn Dæhlie
Bjørn Erlend Dæhlie ( born June 19, 1967 in Elverum, alternative spelling Björn Daehlie ) is a retired Norwegian cross-country skier and second most successful athlete in the history of the Olympic Winter Games.
Career
Dæhlie dominated during the 1990s, cross-country skiing sport and is the most successful athlete of all time in this sport. He took part in three Winter Olympics, winning eight gold and four silver medals. In Nordic World Ski Championships, he won a total of 17 medals, including nine gold. At the World Championship 1997 in Trondheim, he reached the podium in all five disciplines.
His success leads Dæhlie, Norway's athletes of the decade, back to his enthusiasm for sport. Hunting, fishing, hiking, kayaking, soccer and cross-country skiing belonged since early childhood to his favorite pastimes. While almost his entire childhood, he dreamed of becoming a football player, but decided on the advice of a coach for cross-country skiing. In the junior class Dæhlie was initially not very successful, but increased its services from year to year, and eventually became one of the best skiers of all time. His career had to end in 2001 when he had a roller ski accident while preparing for his fourth Olympic Games, after which he wished to resign.
Even after his resignation Dæhlie in Norway has remained very popular. He is very often present in advertising, has a company for skis and sports equipment and moderated temporarily own TV show. In 1997 he received the Holmenkollen medal, although he had never won the race at Holmenkollen. As early as 1992 he had been olympiske with the Fearnleys ærespris excellent.
Achievements
Olympic Winter Games
World Championships
Cross-country skiing World Cup
- 6 times overall World Cup winner ( 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999 )
- 1 time Sprint World Cup overall champion in 1998
Awards
- European Athlete of the Year 1998
- Norway's Sportsman of the Year 1995, 1998
- Holmenkollen medal in 1997
- Aftenposten Gold Medal 1997