Three gold medals secured at the 1952 Winter Olympic Games in Oslo established Hjalmar Andersen as the most successful athlete of those proceedings. A native of Rødøy Municipality, the Norwegian speed skater rose to prominence as a central figure in his country's sporting history, eventually earning state-funded funeral honors following his death in 2013 at age 90.
Formative Years in Trondheim
Born in 1923, Andersen spent his early childhood on the island of Rødøya before relocating to the Lademoen district of Trondheim. His father served as a boatswain, and the family environment fostered an early interest in athletics. At age 10, he joined the Falken sports club, an organization affiliated with the Workers' Sports Federation. Alongside teammates Sverre Farstad and Henry Wahl, he formed a grouping known as The Falken Trio. His development was interrupted in 1940 by the German occupation, which mandated a total cessation of organized competitions until 1946.
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Andersen hit a performance peak between 1950 and 1952. During this three-year window, he achieved an unprecedented triple, winning the World, European, and Norwegian Allround Championships consecutively. This streak cemented his status as the preeminent global skater of the era. His 1951 performance at Bislett Stadium remains notable for a controversial jury intervention; after a fall caused by a photographer's flash, he was granted a second run, which he won to secure the overall title.
The 1952 Olympic Milestone
In the lead-up to the 1952 Oslo Games, Andersen set a world record in the 10,000 meters at Hamar with a time of 16:32.6. This performance marked the first time a skater averaged under 40 seconds per lap for the distance. At the Olympics, he dominated the competition, winning gold in the 5,000 meters, 1,500 meters, and 10,000 meters. These victories occurred before 75,000 spectators over three days. Though he retired briefly after the Games, he returned to competition in 1954 and qualified for the 1956 Olympic team.
Post-Athletic Life
Following his retirement from skating, Andersen transitioned into professional work within the merchant shipping welfare services until 1990. Beyond skating, he demonstrated versatility as a cyclist, which led to him receiving the Egebergs Ærespris in 1951. His public persona as King Glad, a nod to his cheerful disposition, sustained his popularity for decades. He authored several books and was recognized with numerous awards, including the 1997 honorary citizenship of Trondheim and the Idrettsgallaens hederspris in 2013.
Fast facts
- Born: 1923, Rødøy Municipality
- Died: 2013, Oslo
- Olympic Medals: 3 Gold
- World Allround Champion: 1950, 1951, 1952
- Egebergs Ærespris: 1951
- Nickname: Kong Glad
- Buried: Tønsberg nye kirkegård
Questions readers ask
How many world records did Hjalmar Andersen set during his career?
He set four world records throughout his career.
Why was Andersen nicknamed King Glad?
The nickname was given to him due to his consistently cheerful mood and sense of humor.
