Berit Berthelsen

Berit Berthelsen was a pioneer in Norwegian female athletics, where she set 33 national records across multiple disciplines. At club level, Berthelsen competed for IL Tyrving and Hakadal IL.

Berthelsen competed at her first Olympics in 1964 in Tokyo, where she finished in ninth place in the long jump. Four years later, at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, she finished in seventh place in the same event, and she also competed in the pentathlon. At the Mexico City games, Berthelsen became the first female flag bearer for Norway at a Summer Olympics.

Berthelsen was the long jump champion at the Indoor European Championships in 1967 and 1968. Also in 1968, Berthelsen set a national record in the long jump of 6.56m, a record that lasted more than 40 years until it was broken in 2009. Following her career, she held several posts in Norwegian athletics, including the national coach for the women’s team.

Personal Bests: LJ – 6.56 (1968); Pen – 4733w (1968).