Feature Stories
In Their Words: Johann Olav Koss
Feb 24, 2008
Norwegian speed skater Johann Olav Koss made his Olympic debut at the Albertville 1992 Olympic Winter Games, finishing seventh in the 5,000 metres, winning a gold medal in the 1,500 metres and silver in the 10,000 metres. At the Lillehammer 1994 Olympic Winter Games, the final year of his speed skating career, Koss won three gold medals, winning all his races and setting new world records, two of which would remain unbeaten until the clap skate era. Koss was named Sports Illustrated magazine's Sportsman of the Year in 1994, together with American speed skater Bonnie Blair.
After his speed skating career, Koss became a UNICEF ambassador and a member of the International Olympic Committee (until 2002). He is now chief executive officer of the international humanitarian organization Right To Play.
Sharing Pride with a Nation by Johann Olav Koss
I have many, many great memories from the Olympic Games. Among those most cherished are from the 1994 Lillehammer Olympics when I won three speed skating Olympic Gold medals and broke three world records.
When I finished my last race, the 10,000 metres, I heard the crowd’s thunderous roar of victory in celebration of my new world record. It was also my fourth career gold medal, the final race of my career, and strangely enough, I felt as though a heavy load had been lifted from my shoulders. I was euphoric and I felt as though I could fly!
Moment with a hero
In the company of 15,000 enthusiastic fans, I found myself standing on top of the podium with the gold medal around my neck and singing our Norwegian national anthem. The moment was truly special because my medal was presented by Norwegian speed skating legend Mr. Hjalmar Andersen or “Hjallis” as he is known in Norway. In Oslo’s 1952 Games, Hjallis was the first man to win three speed skating gold medals at a single Olympic Winter Games. Although the IOC strictly requires that medals be presented by an IOC member — which Hjallis was not — they made an exception, allowing me the honour to receive the medal from my hero.
Having been privileged to enjoy many personal experiences as an athlete, I must tell you about the Olympic moment that, as a spectator, had tremendous impact upon my life.
As a spectator
I learned during the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games that the Australians are as sport crazy as my fellow Norwegians. This was proven as every Australian fan cheered on every athlete from each nation represented at the Games, even if their athlete was favoured. One Australian athlete above all bore extraordinary pressure at these Olympic Games — more so than any of her national teammates. This athlete was not only representing her home nation, but also the indigenous people of Australia, the Aborigines. Her name is Cathy Freeman and she is one of the greatest track athletes of her time.
Never before had I seen such a spectacular Opening Ceremony that represented the nation, its women and its freedom. The flame was carried into the stadium by six distinguished Australian female Olympians and the last athlete to hold the torch and light the cauldron was Cathy Freeman. At that moment all eyes were focused on her as they had been throughout the preparation leading up to the Games. As though she were a Greek goddess, she was “standing” on the water and holding the torch when the cauldron rose up to meet her. Being an athlete myself, I was thinking how it must have been impossible to have more pressure to perform. Imagine, this honoured moment took place only a few days before her lone race; the race for her life, her people and her nation.
Defining moment in history
Competing in the 400-metre track race, Freeman had only one chance at these Olympics and that moment would be over in less than 50 seconds. Filled to capacity, there were more than 100,000 people in the stadium. As her race was to start, everyone stood to watch, knowing that it would either be the greatest moment of these Olympics or a faded memory of what could have been.
I believe that all the people of Australia were watching as the gun went off and Freeman flew out of the starting blocks. The flashes rained over the stadium from thousands of cameras — a spectacle that was greater than the fireworks that traditionally close the Games. Not one person wanted to lose this moment in history.
I got goose bumps on my arms and my hair stood up on the back of my neck when I heard the deafening roar spill from the spectators. I felt, as I am certain many others did, as though I were on the track with her willing her to win. Freeman was inspiring as she was so far ahead of the field with the roar of the crowd increasing with every step she took closer to the finish line and the gold medal.
Freeman achieved more than a gold medal that day. She earned something few could imagine and even fewer of us will ever experience. She was triumphant and in her victory, she gave the gift of pride to her people and her nation.
In Their Words Series
In Their Words is a celebration of the two-year countdown to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. This 17-part series is comprised of personal stories written by Olympians and leaders with a passion for the Games. Visit vancouver2010.com every day from February 12 to 28 for a fresh story of inspiration, triumph and hope.
In TheirWords: Kristi Richards
InTheir Words:François-Louis Tremblay
InTheir Words:Dominique Maltais
InTheir Words:Johann Olav Koss
© 2009 The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games
Olympic and Paralympic Games photography © Getty Images, unless otherwise stated.
