Magnar Solberg was the first biathlete to defend the Olympic gold medal in the individual event, winning in 1968 and 1972, and still remains the only biathlete to win the 20 km twice, the original Olympic biathlon event. Solberg was not as successful at the World Championships, winning three silver medals in the biathlon relay in 1969-71, and bronze in the individual event in 1969 and 1971. His first major accomplishment was helping win the relay at the 1967 Nordic Championships, and winning the bronze medal in the individual at that competition. He won two further relay titles and added an individual silver at later Nordic Championships. Solberg was Norwegian Champion in 1982.
In 1968 Solberg was awarded the Morgenbladets Gullmedalje. For his career achievements, he was chosen as the Norwegian flagbearer at the 1972 Winter Olympic Opening Ceremony, and in 1994 at Lillehammer, was one of the 16 former Norwegian athletes chosen to bring in the Olympic Flag at the Opening Ceremony.
Solberg was a police officer by profession for most of his career. He is remembered in that regard for his work on a murder investigation against Fritz Moen. Solberg was accused of changing the murder victim’s time of death to dismiss the alibi given by Moen. He later admitted to wrongdoing stating, “I took part in the great mistake, along with many others.” After his retirement from the police force, Solberg worked in the insurance industry.
Norway