Word: aamodt
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Dates: during 2000-2009
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Until Bjorndalen's record-breaking feats, the Norwegian team's star performer in Salt Lake City had been alpine skier Kjetil Andre Aamodt. By taking two gold medals Aamodt wrote himself into the record books with seven Olympic medals, more than any other alpine skier. He was favored to win the combined - one downhill run and two slaloms - and then went on to snatch the super-G from Austrian favorite Stephan Eberharter by .10 sec. The two victories were not a bad result for the 30-year-old, who is often referred to as "the veteran" even though...
Nipping at Aamodt's heels in the longevity and records department is Norway's other great alpine skier, 31-year-old Lasse Kjus. He won his first Olympic medal at Lillehammer and has two overall World Cup championships as well as a total of 15 Olympic and world championship medals. Despite struggling for the past few years with chronic sinus and bronchial problems, Kjus came to Salt Lake City expecting to win medals. In the men's downhill he made silver and won bronze in the giant slalom...
Even at their advanced ages, Aamodt and Kjus show no signs of retiring. Aamodt says he intends to compete in Turin in 2006, and Kjus feels he still has the ability and the drive to continue. He worries, though, about the next generation of Norwegian alpine skiers, noting that only Bjarne Solbakken, 24, shows that "he has the qualities to be a big event racer." Ruefully he adds, "It may be that some new guys are coming, but until then we old guys have to stay in there and get some results...
...success of their athletes at Salt Lake City is likely to make sports- mad Norwegians even more enthusiastic. Televised biathlon regularly pulls audiences of around 25% of the population, rising to an estimated 34% for the men's Olympic relay competition. "There's such a strong national feeling," says Aamodt. "I'm thankful that I come from a nation that so strongly supports winter sports...
...course it was marvelous to behold the triumphant visitors, too. Aamodt and Annan and all the cross country skiers (all those who didn't test poisitve, anyway) - and curlers, even. I watched some curling, and liked it. I apologize for any and all curling jokes made by me or my ink stained brethren in the past...