Frode Rønning

One of the world’s best sprinters in the late 1970s and early 1980s, Frode Rønning’s first international medal came in 1978. Behind the unbeatable Eric Heiden, he claimed silver in the World Sprint Championships. He would make the podium three more times, earning bronze in 1979 and 1982. He clinched the title in 1981, largely on account of a great first 500 m, which also earned him the Oscar Mathisen Award for that year. At the 1980 Olympics, Rønning tied with USSR opponent Vladimir Lobanov for third in the 1,000 m. From 1983 on, Rønning’s star slowly faded, although he competed at an international level through the 1989 season. He has sixteen Norwegian titles under his belt, nine sprint titles (1978-1982, 1985-89), three 500 m titles (1987-89), two 1,000 m titles (1987, 1989) and two relay titles (1987, 1989). He later coached the Norwegian national sprint team.

Personal Bests: 500 – 37.31 (1988); 1000 – 1:15.14 (1983); 1500 – 1:59.82 (1980); 5000 – 8:04.01 (1979).