Sten Stensen

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games • Other
SexMale
Full nameSten Einar•Stensen
Used nameSten•Stensen
Born18 December 1947 in Drammen, Viken (NOR)
Measurements183 cm / 74 kg
AffiliationsDrammens SK, Drammen (NOR)
NOC Norway
Medals OG
Gold 1
Silver 1
Bronze 2
Total 4

Biography

Sten Stensen, from Drammen, was one of the “Norwegian S’es” at the end of the 1970s, with Amund Sjøbrend, Jan Egil Storholt and Kay Arne Stenshjemmet. At the 1976 Innsbruck Olympics, Stensen won the 5,000 m. As the World Record holder he was also a favorite for the 10,000 m gold, but he was beaten by Dutchman Piet Kleine. Earlier, Stensen had won two Olympic bronze medals: in the 5,000 m and 10,000 m in 1972. During the 1976 European Championships at Bislett, Stensen set a new 10,000 m World Record, but he still lost the title to Stenshjemmet by 0.005 points; or 0.1 seconds in the 10,000 m. Kleine took the Olympic 10,000 m gold and Stensen’s World Record at Innsbruck, but Stensen beat him head-to-head and reclaimed his World Record in a country match at Medeo at the end of the season. After most of the top international skaters had turned professional following the 1972 season, Stensen remained as one of the best amateur all-around skaters. He finished second in the 1973 World Championships, while winning the 1974 world title and 1975 Europeans. He had 12 distance wins in these tournaments, and 25 podium positions. After he quit speed skating, Sten Stensen kept following speed skating very closely as Norwegian Broadcasting’s expert commentator on the inner lane. He was awarded the Oscar Mathisen Trophy in 1974 and 1976. Professionally, he worked as an officer in the Norwegian Army until his retirement.

Personal Bests: 500 – 39.03 (1977); 1000 – 1:23.44 (1973); 1500 – 1:58.72 (1976); 5000 – 7:05.04 (1977); 10000 – 14:38.08 (1976).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1972 Winter Olympics Speed Skating (Skating) NOR Sten Stensen
5,000 metres, Men (Olympic) 3 Bronze
10,000 metres, Men (Olympic) 3 Bronze
1976 Winter Olympics Speed Skating (Skating) NOR Sten Stensen
5,000 metres, Men (Olympic) 1 Gold
10,000 metres, Men (Olympic) 2 Silver

Olympic Records

Records may have been broken subsequently during the same competition.
Games Date Sport Event Phase Mark Pos
1972 Winter Olympics 7 February 1972 Speed Skating (Skating) 10,000 metres, Men Final Standings 15:07.08 3
1976 Winter Olympics 14 February 1976 Speed Skating (Skating) 10,000 metres, Men Final Standings 14:53.30 2

Other participations

Games Role NOC As
1976 Winter Olympics Flagbearer at the Closing Ceremony NOR Sten Stensen

Special Notes