Why do Norway have so many sports stars?

In winter, Norwegian athletes have long been among the best in the world. They have always topped the medal table at the Olympic Games in the cold season. But even in the summer, the country of 5.5 million has world-class athletes in more and more sports. Norway has become a top sporting nation Slip away. How did that work? The courier went looking for clues.

If you want to understand Norwegians' enthusiasm for sports and nature, you should take part in a cross-country ski race Holmenkollen Visit. In the local mountain forests Oslo Norwegians from young to old camp out in minus 20 degrees, cheering on the athletes and celebrating themselves and their lives.

This desire for the outdoors is at the root of the Norwegian sporting prodigy, and in fact, he is not one of them. The fact that this small country now celebrates great successes in athletics, tennis, golf, beach volleyball, as well as in football is due primarily to the attitude of the Norwegians and their eventful life – in the truest sense of the word.

People are drawn to nature, and children are sent outdoors even in rain, wind and snow. There are 12,000 multi-sport clubs with nearly three million members in the small country. “In Norway, it is normal for families with babies and children to spend the weekend skiing,” says Felix Gottwald, three-time Olympic champion in the Nordic countries combined.

side by side

But why do Norwegians succeed in high-level sport? The answer can be found in the capital, Oslo, at the so-called Olympiatoppen. This is where the heart of major Norwegian sport beats, and where many Olympic and world champions have their origins.

The huge Olympiatuben complex with modern infrastructure is home to all Olympic sports. Here, Carsten Warholm, world record holder in the 400-meter hurdles, trains alongside tennis star Casper Ruud and skiing star. Alexander Kjeld. Coaches of different sports exchange ideas, and there is intense cooperation in the technology and sports science departments. In many other countries, where competition between different sports federations often prevails, such a pooling of forces would be unthinkable.

“I think that here in Norway, athletes from different sports inspire each other. “We know each other, we trust each other, and that's a big advantage,” explains former footballer Jan Ag Fjortoft, who also scored goals for Rapid.

Norway has also been a leading country in alpine skiing for decades, with its athletes not only winning titles and trophies, but also being at the forefront of fan favour. Fjörtoft feels sorry for this young star Lucas Pinheiro clutches He is now competing for Brazil. “He was skateboarding's biggest ambassador because he had the X factor. He had something of a pop star.

Pop stars today

However, Norway has many pop stars, and here are excerpts of the most successful ones currently: In winter sports, the list is long, starting with alpine skiing stars Henrik Christophersen above Therese Gohaugethe grande dame of cross-country skiing, and the dominator of cross-country skiing Johannes Claybo Even the king of athletes Johannes Thinges Boe. But the Norwegians are now very familiar with the ball. Erling Haaland He is probably the best footballer on the planet at the moment. Different mall and Christian Sorum They are an integral part of the beach volleyball elite. In tennis she has Casper Road Established at the top of the world. Norwegians Handball players Get Olympic gold in Paris, Viktor Hovland He hits the golf ball like any other European. Things are going well in Norway even without the ball: Magnus Carlsen He is a master of chess moves. Maintain athletics Jakob Ingebrigtsen and Carsten Warholm World records, and both are Olympic champions.