Grenoble, 12 February 1968, X Olympic Winter Games. Men's biathlon: Magnar SOLBERG of Norway competes in the 20km event. Credit: IOC Olympic Museum Collections

Born: 4 February 1937

Birthplace: Soknedal (Norway)

Nationality: Norway

Sport: Biathlon

ATTENDANCE AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES

Grenoble 1968

Sapporo 1972

AWARDS

Olympic medals:

Gold: 2

Silver: 1

Other results:

World Championships

Silver: 3 (69, 70, 71)

Bronze: 2 (69, 71)

The Only Biathlon Champion to Defend His Title

At the Grenoble Olympic Games in 1968, Magnar Solberg, a 31-year-old policeman, surprised the biathlon world by winning the gold medal in the 20km race. He did so by achieving a perfect shooting score -- something he had never done before. This gave him a victory of 54.5 seconds. He also won a silver medal with the norwegian team in the 4x7.5km relay. Four years later, at the Sapporo Games, he missed twice, but still skied fast enough to gain a 12.10-second victory over Hansjörg Knauthe. Solberg remains the only biathlete in Olympic history to successfully defend his title in an individual event. He also holds the Winter Olympics record as the oldest gold medalist in an individual event. When he won in 1972, Solberg was 35 years 4 days old.