Vebjørn Rodal

Vebjørn Rodal made his international senior début at the 1992 Olympics, reaching the semi-finals of the 800 m and won his first international medal two years later, when he placed second at the 1994 European Championships. After finishing third at the 1995 World Championships, Rodal was considered a medal contender at the 1996 Olympics. The best 800 m runner of the era, Wilson Kipketer, who had emigrated from Kenya to Denmark, could not compete at the Olympics, when Kenya refused to allow him to do so, leaving the 800 metre wide open. The Olympic final was at a fast pace, but Rodal took the lead on the final curve, crossing the line first in an Olympic record of 1:42.58. The Olympic title would remain Rodal’s only international victory. He failed to make the final of the 2000 Sydney Olympics, and essentially then retired, not competing again internationally. Rodal won six Norwegian 800 m titles (1992, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000 and 2002) and two Norwegian 1,500 m titles (1995 and 1997).

Personal Best: 800 – 1:42.58 (1996).