Thorvald Olsen

When Thorvald Olsen competed in the 1912 Olympics, it was still in the first phase of his career. In 1910, he placed third in the 68 kg division of the Norwegian Championships behind his brother Sigurd Thorleif (1884-1963). In 1912, he claimed his first title, this time in the 74 kg class. In this category, he added another title in 1915, was runner-up in 1914 and 1918 and placed third in 1921. During this decade, he wrestled for IF Ørnulf in Oslo. At the Olympics, he had little luck losing his first two bouts in the lightweight (< 67.5 kg) by fall against Finnish athletes. He achieved a major success, however, winning the 1918 Nordic Championship in this division.

In the early 1920s, he joined the workers’ sports movement. He became a member of Fagforeningenes IF and later founded his own club, the Fagforeningenes IF av 1926 (Fagen 26). Representing these clubs, he took three national championship titles of the Arbeidernes Idrettsforbund (Workers’ Confederation of Sports, AIF) in the 82 kg division, in 1925, 1927 and 1928. He was best known under his nickname “Torden” (“Thunder”).

Olsen was a member of the board of the Arbeidernes Idrettsopposisjon (Workers’ Sports Opposition), the predecessor of the AIF. He held several positions in the AIF, including chairman from 1928 to 1931, when he was instrumental for organizing the 1928 Winter Spartakiad. He also worked as a wrestling coach for SK Sleipner. For his merits, he received several awards.

Olsen survived two strokes but died about one year later after sustaining a third. His brother Trygve Emanuel (1896-1944), a non-Olympian, was a multiple Norwegian Champion in the 74 kg division in the 1920s.