Since 1920, Norwegian performance has been consistently high in two areas: cross-country skiing (with 25 gold medals, 29 silver medals, and 18 bronze medals) and speed-skating (25 gold medals, 27 silver medals, and 25 bronze medals). 1920, incidentally, marked their lowest year with only 2 silver medals and 1 bronze.
Of course, behind each competition lies a person of dedication, ambition, and ability. So, who are the Nordic Olympians of note this year? Where do they come from, what do they do, and who are the people that support them?
The Women
Liv Grete Poiree: Born July, 1974 in Bergen, Poiree now lives in Villard de Lans with her husband, fellow Olympian, Raphael Poiree. Liv Grete won a silver in the Individual Biathlon as well as in the Relay, with teammates Andreassen, Skjelbreid, and Tjoerhom.
Ann Elen Skjelbreid: Skjelbreid, Liv Grete Poiree’s sister, was born in Bergen in September, 1971 and currently lives in Eikelandsosen, Norway. In addition to being a silver medallist in the relay biathlon, Skjelbreid is a two-time Olympian and is currently studying to become a sport instructor.
Gunn Margit Andreassen: Andreassen is another two-time Olympian, this time winning the silver with her teammates in the relay biathlon. When she is not training, she is immersed in the study of law. Andreassen is also dating fellow Norwegian biathlete Frode Andresen.
Linda Tjoerhom: This final relay biathlete was born in Stavanger (1979) and currently lives in Trondheim, where she is going to school to become a kindergarten teacher. A true nationalist, she says the person she most admires is the King of Norway.
Bente Skari: Born in Oslo, 1972, Skari currently lives in Nittedal, Norway. This year she won the gold in the women’s 10 km classical cross-country skiing competition, and was in the cross-country relay team that won the silver medal. Her father, Odd Martinsen, was also a gold and silver medallist in the 1968 games.
Hilde G. Pedersen: Another of the silver-winning relayists in the cross-country skiing competition, Pedersen was born November, 1964 in Hamar. She now lives in Brumunddal, Norway. Pedersen was also a relay silver medallist in the 2001 World Championship in Finland.
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