Bjørn Dæhlie
is perhaps one of the most celebrated nordic skiiers of recent history.
Some of his achievements include:
- 8 Olympic Gold Medals
- 12 Olympic Medals overall
- Over 40 individual World Cup victories
- Overall World Cup champion in 1993, 94, 96, 97 & 99
Born in 1967 in Elverum, Norway, he didn't begin training until the age of 15 (quite late). Having never won a national title, he was still selected for the National Junior Team in the same year.
He retired this year (2001) after sustaining a back injury while roller-skiing during his summer training in 2000.