Madshus biathlete Ole Einar Bjoerndalen (NOR) received the award Best Male Athlete of the 2014 Olympics in Sochi. The honor is awarded by the Association of National Olympic Committee’s (ANOC). Friday, Bjoerndalen was in Bangkok to accept the award.
“This must be the most significant award I’ve ever received,” Bjoerndalen said.
After winning two gold medals at the 2014 Olympics in Sochi (the 10 kilometer sprint and the mixed relay), Bjoerndalen became the most winning winter Olympian with a total of 13 medals: 8 gold medals, 4 silver medals and 1 bronze medal.
His achievements and performance at the Sochi Olympics were honored during the ANOCs General assembly in Bangkok, Thailand, where 204 national Olympic committees were present.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has helped me throughout my career. There are too many to mention all the names, but I want to extend a very special thank you to all my coaches, service staff, the Norwegian National Biathlon Association, Olympiatoppen (Norwegian Olympic Development Center) and all my good partners. Everyone who has supported me has contributed to my development and performances, and deserves a part of the honor for this award. I am proud that biathlon is the sport that goes all the way to the top –the jury was considering athletes from much bigger international sports,” Bjoerndalen said.
Bjoerndalen received the honor during the ANOC Awards, a ceremony honoring national Olympic committees and Olympic athletes who have delivered outstanding performances. 25 broadcasters transmitted the ceremony, with a potential reach of more than 300 million people. More than 1200 accredited journalists. And Bjoerndalen was prepared, as always.
“I have known for a while that I was a candidate for this award. I have been at a training camp for almost 4 weeks and trained well in order to take two days off for this ceremony in Bangkok. I have been looking forward to this little mini break in my training schedule. I planned the journey very carefully, and with a direct flight from Oslo, it is quite convenient. In my carryon, I brought 20 slices of my favorite whole-grain bread baked by our excellent chef Eva. Tomorrow, Saturday, I am flying straight back, leaving tropical Bangkok for perfect skiing at Beitostoelen,” Bjoerndalen explains.
Inge Andersen, secretary general in the Norwegian Athletic Association, was also present during the awards. In his opinion, there is no better deserving recipient.
“Ole Einar impressed everyone during the Sochi Olympics. Two Olympic gold medals were more than anyone could expect, but still I’m not really surprised. This is the most winning Winter Olympian, from the small town of Simostranda. We are very proud of Ole Einar. He represents the best of Norwegian athletes,” Andersen said.