Per Bjørang

Lillehammer’s Per Bjørang was a part of the first Norwegian national sprint team in 1972, and the most talented member of this team. He won the national sprint title, placed fourth on the 500 m in the Olympics and seventh in the first World Sprint Championships. When most of the top sprinters of the world turned professional in 1973, Bjørang was suddenly one of the best sprinters of the world.

He didn’t quite make it to the top in 1973, but won the 1974 World Sprint title, as well as a second Norwegian sprint crown. In 1976 he once again hoped to contend for a 500 m medal at the Olympic Games in Innsbruck, but like several other skaters, Bjørang caught the flu and was unable to start. His substitute, Arnulf Sunde, proved to be the best Norwegian, placing sixth.

Bjørang later settled in Oslo where he worked with a company, Bankenes Betalingssentral, serving Norwegian banks and money transfer programs.

Personal Bests: 500 – 38.06 (1976); 1000 – 1:17.17 (1976); 1500 – 2:03.29 (1975); 5000 – 8:53.1 (1966).