Alexander Dale Oen facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Alexander Dale Oen

Alexander Dale Oen at the Reykjavík International Games 2009
Personal information
Nationality	Norway
Born	(1985-05-21)21 May 1985 Øygarden, Norway
Died	30 April 2012(2012-04-30) (aged 26) Flagstaff, Arizona, United States
Height	1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
Weight	80 kg (176 lb)
Sport
Sport	Swimming
Strokes	Breaststroke
Club	Bærumsvømmerne
Medal record Men's swimming Representing  Norway 2008 Summer Olympics Silver 2008 Beijing 100 m breaststroke World Championships (LC) Gold 2011 Shanghai 100 m breaststroke World Championships (SC) Bronze 2006 Shanghai 100 m breaststroke European Championships (LC) Gold 2008 Eindhoven 100 m breaststroke Gold 2010 Budapest 100 m breaststroke Silver 2006 Budapest 100 m breaststroke Silver 2008 Eindhoven 200 m breaststroke Silver 2008 Eindhoven 50 m breaststroke Silver 2010 Budapest 200 m breaststroke European Championships (SC) Gold 2011 Szczecin 100 m breaststroke Bronze 2006 Helsinki 100 m breaststroke Bronze 2011 Szczecin 50 m breaststroke

Alexander Dale Oen (born May 21, 1985 – died April 30, 2012) was a famous swimmer from Norway. He was known for his amazing skills in the breaststroke swimming style. Alexander made history for Norway many times.

He became the first Norwegian man to win a medal at a big international swimming event. This happened when he won a gold medal at the 2008 European Championships.

Alexander first became well-known in 2005. He finished seventh in the 100-meter breaststroke at the 2005 World Aquatics Championships. Later that year, he swam the 100-meter breaststroke in under one minute. This was a new record for Nordic countries.

Sadly, Alexander passed away on April 30, 2012. He was at a training camp in Flagstaff, Arizona at the time. He was only 26 years old.

Swimming Achievements

Alexander Dale Oen won many important medals during his career. He was a strong competitor in breaststroke events.

World Championships Medals

At the 2006 FINA Short Course World Championships in Shanghai, Alexander won a bronze medal. This was for the 100-meter breaststroke race. It was a big moment because he was the first Norwegian man to win a medal at a World Championships in swimming.

In 2011, Alexander achieved his biggest win. He won the gold medal at the 2011 World Aquatics Championships in Shanghai. This was for the 100-meter breaststroke. His time was 58.71 seconds. This was Norway's first gold medal ever at a World Championship in swimming. Alexander was very emotional during the award ceremony. This was because of the sad events of the 2011 Norway attacks that had happened just a few days before.

European Championships Medals

Alexander also had great success at the European Championships. In 2006, he won a silver medal in the 100-meter breaststroke at the 2006 European Aquatics Championships. He set a new Nordic record with his time.

He truly shined at the 2008 European Aquatics Championships. He set a new European record in the 100-meter breaststroke. He won the gold medal in this event. He also won another gold medal at the 2010 European Aquatics Championships in the same event.

Olympic Medal

At the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, Alexander made history for Norway again. He won a silver medal in the 100-meter breaststroke. This was Norway's very first Olympic medal in swimming.

Remembering Alexander

Many people remembered Alexander Dale Oen after his passing. He was a beloved athlete and friend to many.

In 2012, at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, two swimmers honored Alexander. Dániel Gyurta from Hungary won the 200-meter breaststroke. He offered a copy of his gold medal to Alexander's family. This was to honor their friendship.

Cameron van der Burgh from South Africa won the 100-meter breaststroke. He also broke a world record. He dedicated his win to Alexander. Cameron said Alexander was one of his closest friends and greatest rivals.

A new public swimming pool in Bergen, Norway, was named the Alexander Dale Oen Arena (ADO Arena) in his honor. The Norwegian Prime Minister, Erna Solberg, spoke at its opening in 2014. She called Alexander perhaps the greatest athlete from Norway.

Images for kids

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  Alexander Dale Oen at the Reykjavík International Games 2009