Bjørn Dæhlie

Bjørn Erlend Dæhlie (born 19 June 1967) is a Norwegian businessman and retired cross-country skier. From 1992 to 1999, Dæhlie won the Nordic World Cup six times, finishing second in 1994 and 1998.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Dæhlie won a total of 29 medals in the Olympics and World Championships between 1991 and 1999, making him the most successful male cross-country skier in history.

During his career, Dæhlie measured a VO₂ max of 96 ml/kg/min.<ref>http://sport.aftenbladet.no/sport/sykkel/article250793.ece Template:In lang</ref> Dæhlie's result was achieved out of season, and physiologist Erlend Hem who was responsible for the testing stated that he would not discount the possibility of the skier passing 100 ml/kg/min at his absolute peak.Template:Citation needed

Since retiring, Dæhlie has become a successful businessman in real estate and fashion. His real estate investments have produced a fortune of more than half a billion kroner.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Early life and career

Born in Elverum, Norway, Dæhlie later moved to Nannestad Municipality, where he settled down. Dæhlie attributes much of his success in sports to his upbringing where he was active in hunting, fishing, hiking, kayaking, football and, of course, skiing from a very early age. For much of his childhood Dæhlie wanted to be a football player, but after being prompted by a coach, he tried Nordic skiing. Dæhlie did not have immediate success as a junior racer, but he consistently improved and eventually qualified for the FIS World Cup competitions.

In 2018 he claimed that his family comes from Alvdal Municipality; the claim was made while answering the public during a meeting prior to getting municipal recommendation in regard to building what media calls "his Coop store" - a store in the chain Coop.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Athletic career

Dæhlie was first on the Norwegian skiing team for the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Canada. However, he did not participate in any races and was there to learn from more senior skiers. He later claimed these Olympics were the turning point for Norwegian skiing before their following period of success.<ref>http://www.aftenposten.no/fakta/Det-har-gatt-helt-som-smurt-6534883.html Template:In lang</ref> He made his debut in the World Cup in January 1989, finishing 11th on the 15 km freestyle in Kavgolovo. In December of the same year, he won his first World Cup race. He finished first on the 15 km freestyle, the first World Cup race of the season.<ref>http://www.nrk.no/sport/bjorn-daehlie-1.4759992 Template:In lang</ref>

In the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 1991 in Val di Fiemme, Dæhlie won his first World Championship gold medal. He beat skiing legend Gunde Svan on the 15 km freestyle. The medal was unexpected, since Dæhlie was young and still largely unknown.<ref>Aftenposten, 10 February 1991 (Norwegian newspaper)</ref> It was Norway's first individual male gold medal in the World Championships since Oddvar Brå won gold in the same race in Oslo in 1982. Dæhlie also skied the last leg on the winning 4 × 10 km relay team.

In 1992, Dæhlie's period of dominance started. He won the World Cup overall for the first time, a feat he would accomplish five more times in the next seven years. In Albertville, Dæhlie won his first Olympic medals. He won gold in 10/15 km freestyle pursuit, 50 km freestyle and was on the winning team for the 4 × 10 km relay. He won a silver in 30 km classical style. Dæhlie also finished fourth on the 10 km freestyle, where his teammate Vegard Ulvang won the gold. Dæhlie completed the fourth leg of the relay, and crossed the finishing line backwards, having won by a margin of over one and a half minutes.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Dæhlie and Ulvang completed a clean sweep of the cross-country skiing gold medals, each winning three golds and a silver. Dæhlie was awarded Fearnley's Olympic Prize for his performance, a prize given to the best performing Norwegian athlete in the Olympics.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway, Dæhlie won gold in the 10 km classical style and the 15 km freestyle pursuit. He won silver in the 30 km freestyle, where he was beaten by his compatriot Thomas Alsgaard. The 4 × 10 km relay was a very tight race between Norway and Italy. The Italians won the gold after Silvio Fauner beat Dæhlie on the sprint on the last leg.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In later years, Thomas Alsgaard took over the fourth leg on the Norwegian relay team with Dæhlie skiing the third leg, since Alsgaard was the better sprinter.

The 1997 Skiing World Championships were Dæhlie's most successful World Championships. In front of the home crowd in Trondheim, he won a medal in every race, taking gold in the 10 km classical race, the 10+15 km combined pursuit and the 4 × 10 km relay. In addition he won a silver in the 30 km freestyle and bronze in the 50 km classical. Dæhlie said the championships were like "Lillehammer all over again" and that "For me, it's very special to compete in Norway".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Dæhlie won three golds and one silver in his last Olympics in Nagano. He won the 10 km classical style, the 50 km freestyle and the 4 × 10 km skiing relay. In the 15 km freestyle pursuit, he got a silver medal having been beaten by Thomas Alsgaard on the sprint. Dæhlie won the 50 km freestyle ahead of Niklas Jonsson by only eight seconds. Both skiers collapsed on the finishing line, having given everything in pursuit of victory.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Dæhlie described the race as his hardest ever.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Dæhlie also formed a lasting friendship with Phillip Boit, the Kenyan skier. Dæhlie waited for Boit on the finish line for 20 minutes following the 10 km race, saying Boit deserved encouragement.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Philip went on to name one of his children Dæhlie Boit.

Dæhlie was planning to compete in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, but he was prevented from participating by a career-ending roller skiing accident in August 1999. The resulting back injury prevented Dæhlie from adding more medals to his collection. He retired from the sport in March 2001, having tried extensive rehabilitation and surgery to come back.<ref>http://www.dagbladet.no/sport/2001/03/29/250122.html Template:In lang</ref> His decision to retire shocked the nation of Norway, where Dæhlie was idolized for his great winning record.<ref>http://www.nrk.no/sport/bjorn-daehlie-1.4759992 Template:In lang</ref>

Dæhlie's eight Olympic titles are a record for the Winter Olympics, as are his total of 12 Olympic medals (he also won four silver medals) which he amassed in three Olympics (Albertville, Lillehammer and Nagano). In addition to his achievements at the Olympics he had great success in the World Championships where he won 17 medals of which nine were gold medals. He was particularly successful in the Trondheim 1997 World Championships, where he earned medals in all five events. Despite his unanticipated early exit from the sport, Dæhlie is considered by many to be one of the greatest Winter Olympic athletes of all time.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In his illustrious career, Dæhlie never won a race at the Holmenkollen ski festival, but he was still awarded the Holmenkollen medal in 1997 (shared with Bjarte Engen Vik and Stefania Belmondo).

He supports non-profit organisations that work for causes such as multiple sclerosis.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 2009 Dæhlie raced in the American Birkebeiner as a fundraiser for multiple sclerosis. Dæhlie competed in the classic race, which is 54 km long, finishing second in a photo finish.

In 2011, Dæhlie won the downhill event in the Kicksled World Championships in Hurdal Municipality.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Also in 2011, Dæhlie announced a comeback, stating his intention to participate in long-distance races like Marcialonga and Vasaloppet<ref>http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/sport/Bjorn-Dahlie-gjor-comeback-5122729.html Template:In lang</ref>

Dæhlie also participated in long-distance running in his youth, representing Ullensaker/Kisa IL. He participated in the Nordic junior match versus Denmark/Iceland, Finland and Sweden in 1987.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Cross-country skiing results

All results are sourced from the International Ski Federation (FIS).<ref name="FISprofile">Template:Cite web</ref>

Olympic Games

• 12 medals – (8 gold, 4 silver)

Year	Age	10 km	Pursuit	15 km	30 km	50 km	4 × 10 km   relay
1988	20	Template:N/a	Template:N/a	—	–	—	—
1992	24	4	Gold	Template:N/a	Silver	Gold	Gold
1994	26	Gold	Gold	Template:N/a	Silver	4	Silver
1998	30	Gold	Silver	Template:N/a	20	Gold	Gold

World Championships

• 17 medals – (9 gold, 5 silver, 3 bronze)

Year	Age	10 km	15 km   classical	15 km   freestyle	Pursuit	30 km	50 km	4 × 10 km   relay
1989	21	Template:N/a	—	20	Template:N/a	—	12	—
1991	23	9	Template:N/a	Gold	Template:N/a	–	4	Gold
1993	25	4	Template:N/a	Template:N/a	Gold	Gold	Bronze	Gold
1995	27	Silver	Template:N/a	Template:N/a	5	Silver	Silver	Gold
1997	29	Gold	Template:N/a	Template:N/a	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Gold
1999	31	5	Template:N/a	Template:N/a	6	Bronze	–	Silver

World Cup

Season titles

• 8 titles – (6 overall, 2 sprint)

	Season
		Discipline
	1992	Overall
	1993	Overall
	1995	Overall
	1996	Overall
	1997	Overall
		Sprint
	1999	Overall
		Sprint

Season standings

Season	Age	Overall	Long Distance	Sprint
1989	21	14	Template:N/a	Template:N/a
1990	22	3	Template:N/a	Template:N/a
1991	23	3	Template:N/a	Template:N/a
1992	24	1	Template:N/a	Template:N/a
1993	25	1	Template:N/a	Template:N/a
1994	26	2	Template:N/a	Template:N/a
1995	27	1	Template:N/a	Template:N/a
1996	28	1	Template:N/a	Template:N/a
1997	29	1	2	1
1998	30	2	2	2
1999	31	1	2	1

Individual podiums

• 46 victories
• 81 podiums

No.	Season	Date	Location	Race	Level	Place
1	1989–90	9 December 1989	Template:Flagicon Soldier Hollow, United States	15 km Individual C	World Cup	1st
2		16 December 1989	Template:Flagicon Canmore, Canada	15 km Individual F	World Cup	2nd
3		17 February 1990	Template:Flagicon Campra, Switzerland	15 km Individual F	World Cup	1st
4		21 February 1990	Template:Flagicon Val di Fiemme, Italy	30 km Individual C	World Cup	3rd
5		3 March 1990	Template:Flagicon Lahti, Finland	15 km + 15 km Pursuit F/C	World Cup	1st
6	1990–91	5 January 1991	Template:Flagicon Minsk, Soviet Union	15 km Individual F	World Cup	2nd
7		9 January 1991	Template:Flagicon Štrbské Pleso, Czechoslovakia	30 km Individual F	World Cup	1st
8		9 February 1991	Template:Flagicon Val di Fiemme, Italy	15 km Individual F	World ChampionshipsTemplate:Ref label	1st
9	1991–92	7 December 1991	Template:Flagicon Silver Star, Canada	15 km Pursuit C	World Cup	2nd
10		14 December 1991	Template:Flagicon Thunder Bay, Canada	30 km Individual F	World Cup	1st
11		4 January 1992	Template:Flagicon Kavgolovo, Russia	30 km Individual C	World Cup	1st
12		11 January 1992	Template:Flagicon Cogne, Italy	15 km Individual F	World Cup	1st
13		10 February 1992	Template:Flagicon Albertville, France	30 km Individual C	Olympic GamesTemplate:Ref label	2nd
14		15 February 1992		15 km Pursuit F	Olympic GamesTemplate:Ref label	1st
15		22 February 1992		50 km Individual F	Olympic GamesTemplate:Ref label	1st
16		29 February 1992	Template:Flagicon Lahti, Finland	15 km Individual C	World Cup	1st
17		7 March 1992	Template:Flagicon Funäsdalen, Sweden	30 km Individual F	World Cup	2nd
18	1992–93	13 December 1992	Template:Flagicon Ramsau, Austria	15 km Pursuit C	World Cup	1st
19		3 January 1993	Template:Flagicon Kavgolovo, Russia	30 km Individual C	World Cup	1st
20		9 January 1993	Template:Flagicon Ulrichen, Switzerland	15 km Individual C	World Cup	3rd
21		16 January 1993	Template:Flagicon Bohinj, Slovenia	15 km Individual F	World Cup	3rd
22		20 February 1993	Template:Flagicon Falun, Sweden	30 km Individual C	World ChampionshipsTemplate:Ref label	1st
23		24 February 1993		15 km Pursuit F	World ChampionshipsTemplate:Ref label	1st
24		28 February 1993		50 km Individual F	World ChampionshipsTemplate:Ref label	3rd
25		19 March 1993	Template:Flagicon Štrbské Pleso, Slovakia	15 km Individual C	World Cup	1st
26	1993–94	18 December 1993	Template:Flagicon Davos, Switzerland	15 km Individual F	World Cup	1st
27		22 December 1993	Template:Flagicon Toblach, Italy	15 km Pursuit F	World Cup	3rd
28		9 January 1994	Template:Flagicon Kavgolovo, Russia	15 km Individual C	World Cup	2nd
29		15 January 1994	Template:Flagicon Oslo, Norway	15 km Individual F	World Cup	2nd
30		14 February 1994	Template:Flagicon Lillehammer, Norway	30 km Individual F	Olympic GamesTemplate:Ref label	2nd
31		17 February 1994		10 km Individual C	Olympic GamesTemplate:Ref label	1st
32		19 February 1994		15 km Pursuit F	Olympic GamesTemplate:Ref label	1st
33		5 March 1994	Template:Flagicon Lahti, Finland	15 km Individual F	World Cup	2nd
34	1994–95	27 November 1994	Template:Flagicon Kiruna, Sweden	10 km Individual C	World Cup	1st
35		14 December 1994	Template:Flagicon Tauplitzalm, Austria	15 km Individual C	World Cup	2nd
36		17 December 1994	Template:Flagicon Sappada, Italy	15 km Individual F	World Cup	1st
37		8 January 1995	Template:Flagicon Östersund, Sweden	30 km Individual F	World Cup	1st
38		27 January 1995	Template:Flagicon Lahti, Finland	15 km Individual F	World Cup	2nd
39		29 January 1995		15 km Pursuit C	World Cup	3rd
40		4 February 1995	Template:Flagicon Falun, Sweden	30 km Individual C	World Cup	1st
41		9 March 1995	Template:Flagicon Thunder Bay, Canada	30 km Individual C	World ChampionshipsTemplate:Ref label	2nd
42		11 March 1995		10 km Individual C	World ChampionshipsTemplate:Ref label	2nd
43		19 March 1995		50 km Individual F	World ChampionshipsTemplate:Ref label	2nd
44		25 March 1995	Template:Flagicon Sapporo, Japan	15 km Individual F	World Cup	1st
45	1995–96	26 November 1995	Template:Flagicon Vuokatti, Finland	10 km Individual C	World Cup	2nd
46		29 November 1995	Template:Flagicon Gällivare, Sweden	10 km Individual F	World Cup	1st
47		9 December 1995	Template:Flagicon Davos, Switzerland	30 km Individual C	World Cup	1st
48		13 December 1995	Template:Flagicon Brusson, Italy	15 km Individual F	World Cup	1st
49		16 December 1995	Template:Flagicon Santa Caterina, Italy	10 km Individual C	World Cup	1st
50		17 December 1995		15 km Pursuit F	World Cup	1st
51		9 January 1996	Template:Flagicon Štrbské Pleso, Slovakia	50 km Individual F	World Cup	2nd
52		2 February 1996	Template:Flagicon Seefeld, Austria	10 km Individual F	World Cup	1st
53		10 February 1996	Template:Flagicon Kavgolovo, Russia	15 km Individual C	World Cup	3rd
54		24 February 1996	Template:Flagicon Trondheim, Norway	30 km Individual F	World Cup	2nd
55		3 March 1996	Template:Flagicon Lahti, Finland	30 km Individual F	World Cup	2nd
56		9 March 1996	Template:Flagicon Falun, Sweden	10 km Individual F	World Cup	2nd
57	1996–97	23 November 1996	Template:Flagicon Kiruna, Sweden	10 km Individual F	World Cup	1st
58		14 December 1996	Template:Flagicon Brusson, Italy	15 km Individual F	World Cup	1st
59		18 December 1996	Template:Flagicon Oberstdorf, Germany	30 km Individual C	World Cup	1st
60		21 February 1997	Template:Flagicon Trondheim, Norway	30 km Individual F	World ChampionshipsTemplate:Ref label	2nd
61		24 February 1997		10 km Individual C	World ChampionshipsTemplate:Ref label	1st
62		25 February 1997		15 km Pursuit F	World ChampionshipsTemplate:Ref label	1st
63		2 March 1997		50 km Individual C	World ChampionshipsTemplate:Ref label	3rd
64		8 March 1997	Template:Flagicon Falun, Sweden	15 km Individual C	World Cup	1st
65		11 March 1997	Template:Flagicon Sunne, Sweden	1.0 km Sprint F	World Cup	1st
66		15 March 1997	Template:Flagicon Oslo, Norway	50 km Individual F	World Cup	3rd
67	1997–98	22 November 1997	Template:Flagicon Beitostølen, Norway	10 km Individual C	World Cup	1st
68		13 December 1997	Template:Flagicon Val di Fiemme, Italy	10 km Individual C	World Cup	1st
69		14 December 1997		15 km Pursuit F	World Cup	1st
70		16 December 1997		15 km Individual F	World Cup	3rd
71		20 December 1997	Template:Flagicon Davos, Switzerland	30 km Individual C	World Cup	1st
72		14 March 1998	Template:Flagicon Oslo, Norway	50 km Individual C	World Cup	3rd
73	1998–99	28 November 1998	Template:Flagicon Muonio, Finland	10 km Individual F	World Cup	2nd
74		12 December 1998	Template:Flagicon Toblach, Italy	10 km Individual F	World Cup	1st
75		13 December 1998		15 km Pursuit C	World Cup	1st
76		19 December 1998	Template:Flagicon Davos, Switzerland	30 km Individual C	World Cup	1st
77		9 January 1999	Template:Flagicon Nové Město, Czech Republic	15 km Individual C	World Cup	1st
78		12 January 1999		30 km Individual F	World Cup	2nd
79		19 February 1999	Template:Flagicon Ramsau, Austria	30 km Individual F	World ChampionshipsTemplate:Ref label	3rd
80		7 March 1999	Template:Flagicon Lahti, Finland	15 km Individual C	World Cup	1st
81		20 March 1999	Template:Flagicon Oslo, Norway	50 km Individual F	World Cup	2nd

Team podiums

• 16 victories
• 27 podiums

No.	Season	Date	Location	Race	Level	Place	Teammates
1	1987–88	13 March 1988	Template:Flagicon Falun, Sweden	4 × 10 km Relay F	World Cup	2nd	Bjørn / Mikkelsplass / Ulvang
2	1988–89	5 March 1989	Template:Flagicon Oslo, Norway	4 × 10 km Relay F	World Cup	3rd	Mikkelsplass / Ulvang / Langli
3		12 March 1989	Template:Flagicon Falun, Sweden	4 × 10 km Relay C	World Cup	3rd	Langli / Mikkelsplass / Ulvang
4	1990–91	15 February 1991	Template:Flagicon Val di Fiemme, Italy	4 ×10 km Relay C/F	World ChampionshipsTemplate:Ref label	1st	Skaanes / Langli / Ulvang
5		1 March 1991	Template:Flagicon Lahti, Finland	4 × 10 km Relay C/F	World Cup	1st	Skaanes / Langli / Skjeldal
6	1991–92	18 February 1992	Template:Flagicon Albertville, France	4 × 10 km Relay C/F	Olympic GamesTemplate:Ref label	1st	Langli / Ulvang / Skjeldal
7		28 February 1992	Template:Flagicon Lahti, Finland	4 × 10 km Relay F	World Cup	2nd	Langli / Ulvang / Skjeldal
8		8 March 1992	Template:Flagicon Funäsdalen, Sweden	4 × 10 km Relay C	World Cup	1st	Sivertsen / Langli / Ulvang
9	1992–93	26 February 1993	Template:Flagicon Falun, Sweden	4 × 10 km Relay C/F	World ChampionshipsTemplate:Ref label	1st	Sivertsen / Ulvang / Langli
10	1993–94	22 February 1994	Template:Flagicon Lillehammer, Norway	4 × 10 km Relay C/F	Olympic GamesTemplate:Ref label	2nd	Sivertsen / Ulvang / Alsgaard
11		13 March 1994	Template:Flagicon Falun, Sweden	4 × 10 km Relay F	World Cup	1st	Sivertsen / Jevne / Ulvang
12	1994–95	18 December 1994	Template:Flagicon Sappada, Italy	4 × 10 km Relay F	World Cup	1st	Kristiansen / Skjeldal / Alsgaard
13		5 February 1995	Template:Flagicon Falun, Sweden	4 × 10 km Relay F	World Cup	1st	Sivertsen / Langli / Alsgaard
14		17 March 1995	Template:Flagicon Thunder Bay, Canada	4 × 10 km Relay C/F	World ChampionshipsTemplate:Ref label	1st	Sivertsen / Jevne / Alsgaard
15		26 March 1995	Template:Flagicon Sapporo, Japan	4 × 10 km Relay C/F	World Cup	1st	Ulvang / Skjeldal / Alsgaard
16	1995–96	10 December 1995	Template:Flagicon Davos, Switzerland	4 × 10 km Relay C	World Cup	2nd	Sivertsen / Jevne / Alsgaard
17		14 January 1996	Template:Flagicon Nové Město, Czech Republic	4 × 10 km Relay C	World Cup	2nd	Alsgaard / Ulvang / Jevne
18		25 February 1996	Template:Flagicon Trondheim, Norway	4 × 10 km Relay C/F	World Cup	1st	Ulvang / Jevne / Alsgaard
19		17 March 1996	Template:Flagicon Oslo, Norway	4 × 5 km Relay F	World Cup	2nd	Kristiansen / Ulvang / Eide
20	1996–97	24 November 1996	Template:Flagicon Kiruna, Sweden	4 × 10 km Relay C	World Cup	3rd	Skjeldal / Eide / Ulvang
21		15 December 1996	Template:Flagicon Brusson, Italy	4 × 10 km Relay F	World Cup	1st	Kristiansen / Eide / Skjeldal
22		28 February 1997	Template:Flagicon Trondheim, Norway	4 × 10 km Relay C/F	World ChampionshipsTemplate:Ref label	1st	Sivertsen / Jevne / Alsgaard
23		9 March 1997	Template:Flagicon Falun, Sweden	4 × 10 km Relay C/F	World Cup	1st	Sivertsen / Jevne / Skjeldal
24	1997–98	23 November 1997	Template:Flagicon Beitostølen, Norway	4 × 10 km Relay C	World Cup	1st	Alsgaard / Eide / Jevne
25	1998–99	29 November 1998	Template:Flagicon Muonio, Finland	4 × 10 km Relay F	World Cup	2nd	Bjørndalen / Skjeldal / Hetland
26		20 December 1998	Template:Flagicon Davos, Switzerland	4 × 10 km Relay C/F	World Cup	1st	Jevne / Bjervig / Hetland
27		26 February 1999	Template:Flagicon Ramsau, Austria	4 × 10 km Relay C/F	World ChampionshipsTemplate:Ref label	2nd	Bjervig / Jevne / Alsgaard

Template:Refbegin Note: Template:Note label Until the 1999 World Championships and the 1994 Olympics, World Championship and Olympic races were included in the World Cup scoring system. Template:Refend

See also

• List of multiple Olympic gold medalists
• List of multiple Olympic gold medalists at a single Games
• List of multiple Winter Olympic medalists

External links

• Template:Official website
• Template:FIS cross-country skier
• Template:Olympics.com profile
• Template:Olympedia
• Template:Webarchive – click Holmenkollmedaljen for downloadable pdf file Template:In lang