Bernt Evensen

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameBernt Sverre•Evensen
Used nameBernt•Evensen
Nick/petnamesBæla
Born18 April 1905 in Oslo, Oslo (NOR)
Died24 August 1979 in Oslo, Oslo (NOR)
Measurements175 cm
AffiliationsOslo SK, Oslo (NOR)
NOC Norway
Medals OG
Gold 1
Silver 2
Bronze 1
Total 4

Biography

In 1928, Bernt Evensen became the first Norwegian Olympic speed skating champion, tying for the gold with Clas Thunberg. He added a silver and a bronze in the same tournament to complete his set of medals. A year earlier, Evensen had won both the European and World Championships. He would medal several more times, but would not win another title until 1934, when he won his second world title. At the 1932 Olympics, he was the best European skater, winning a silver medal in the 500 m. Known for his fighting spirit rather than his fast times, Evensen never broke a World Record, yet won four Norwegian championships, including in 1927, giving him the triple of Norwegian, European and World titles in a single season. After 1935, he became a member of the workers’ sports federation, and competed only in socialist workers’ competitions until 1940. Evensen was also a good cyclist, winning 11 Norwegian and 6 Nordic titles on track. He also won the Egebergs Ærespris for his achievements in two different sports. After World War II, Evensen became a coach at the Oslo Skating Club (OSK), while also working for his own transport business.

His grandson Stig Kristiansen won a bronze medal at the World Cycling Championships in 1991 as a member of the Norwegian Time Trial team, and also competed in the 1992 Olympics.

Personal Bests: 500 – 43.2 (1934); 1500 – 2:20.6 (1928); 5000 – 8:36.7 (1934); 10000 – 17:30.2 (1928).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1928 Winter Olympics Speed Skating (Skating) NOR Bernt Evensen
500 metres, Men (Olympic) =1 Gold
1,500 metres, Men (Olympic) 2 Silver
5,000 metres, Men (Olympic) 3 Bronze
10,000 metres, Men (Olympic) AC
1932 Winter Olympics Speed Skating (Skating) NOR Bernt Evensen
500 metres, Men (Olympic) 2 Silver
1,500 metres, Men (Olympic) 3 h1 r1/2
5,000 metres, Men (Olympic) 6
10,000 metres, Men (Olympic) 6

Olympic Records

Records may have been broken subsequently during the same competition.
Games Date Sport Event Phase Mark Pos
1928 Winter Olympics 13 February 1928 Speed Skating (Skating) 500 metres, Men Final Standings 43.4 =1

Olympic family relations

Special Notes