Grenoble, Autrans, 10 February 1968: Harald GRÖNNINGEN from Norway, 1st, in action in the cross-country skiing 10km during the X Olympic Winter Games. Credit: IOC Olympic Museum CollectionsBorn: 9 October 1934
Birthplace: Lensvik (Norway)
Nationality: Norway
Sport: Skiing
ATTENDANCE AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES
Squaw Valley 1960
Innsbruck 1964
Grenoble 1968
AWARDS
Olympic medals:
Gold: 2
Silver: 3
Other results:
World Championships
Gold: 1 (66)
Silver: 1 (62)
Topping a Silver Streak With Double Gold
By the time of the 1968 Grenoble Winter Olympics, Harald Grönningen had already won three Olympic silver medals. The first came in the 1960 4x10km relay. He earned the other two in individual events in 1964: the 30km and the 15km. At the Grenoble Games, Grönningen got off to a slow start, placing only thirteenth in the 30km race. Three days later, he finally struck gold when he beat his old friend and rival, Eero Mäntyranta, by 1.9 seconds in the 15km. Grönningen added a second gold medal as a member of Norway's relay team. Grönningen earned his living fishing for salmon and growing strawberries.
