The most prestigious award in Norwegian winter sports was awarded to Madshus biathlete Emil Hegle Svensden (NOR): Holmenkollmedaljen.
The award has been presented since 1895, and was just last year amended to include eligibility to nominate biathletes.
The jury statement reads: Emil Hegle Svendsen is a strong athlete in the Norwegian national team, and an athlete representative for the mens team. He was nominated both for the name of the year award for 2011 and the male athlete of the year award for 2011 during the Norwegian Athletic Association Gala Awards (“Idrettsgallaen”) in January.
To date, his career has brought five gold medals and three silver medals from the World Championships, two gold medals and one silver medal from the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, 27 World Cup victories in biathlon – four of those from Holmenkollen, and he won the overall World Cup for the 2009-10 season.
The female award was given to German biathlete Magdalena Neuner.
The award was presented during the World Cup ceremony in Oslo on Fenruary 5, 2012. The award is presented by Skiforeningen.