Ivar Formo

Ivar Formo's greatest victory came in the 1976 Olympics. In a well-paced race, he beat all opponents in the prestigious 50 km competition. Four years earlier, Formo had won bronze in the 15 km event. He also medalled with the Norwegian relay team, finishing second at the 1972 and 1976 Olympics, and third at the 1974 and 1978 World Championships. A six-time Norwegian champion in cross country skiing, Formo was also an excelling orienteering competitor. In 1974, he was part of the Norwegian team that won a bronze medal in the relay competition at the World Championships. For his exploits in two different sports, he was awarded Egebergs Ærespris in 1973. In 1975 he won the Holmenkollen medal. Formo, a six-time Norwegian champion, later joined the International Skiing Federation (FIS) as chairman of the cross-country committee. In 2006, Formo drowned in the Store Sandungen Lake, having gone there for a running and skating trip.