Thor Nilsen

Growing up on the coast of Norway and surrounded by fjords, it was only natural that Thor Nilsen became a rower. Nilsen began rowing in 1945, spending most of his free time after school had finished on the water. Within a short time he was representing his country, including being selected for the coxed fours at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics where he reached the semi-finals.

Nilsen started to coach rowing in 1955 while continuing to compete until the mid-1960s. He became the national rowing coach for Norway and Sweden and developed training centres in several countries. His coaching success included more than 30 gold medals at the World Championships and eight golds at the Olympics.

Nilsen served in multiple roles for World Rowing including as their development director, honorary chairman, and on their executive committee. From 1994 to 1997 he was the President of the Swedish Rowing Federation. In 2003 Nilsen was bestowed with the Distinguished Service to International Rowing Award from World Rowing and in 2009 he was awarded with the Olympic Order in Silver.