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Egil Danielsen facts for kids

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Egil Danielsen 1953.jpg
Danielsen after breaking the 70 m barrier in September 1953
Quick facts for kids
Personal information
Born 9 November 1933
Hamar, Norway
Died 29 July 2019 (aged 85)
Bergen, Norway
Height 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight 88 kg (194 lb)
Sport
Sport Athletics
Event(s) Javelin throw
Club Hamar IL
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s) 85.71 m (1956)
Medal record
Representing  Norway
Olympic Games
Gold 1956 Melbourne Javelin throw
European Championships
Silver Stockholm 1958 Javelin throw

Egil Danielsen (9 November 1933 – 29 July 2019) was a Norwegian javelin thrower. He competed at the 1956 and 1960 Olympics and won the gold medal in 1956. Danielsen, who used an old-type wooden javelin, did poorly in the 1956 final, which was led by his Polish friend Janusz Sidło. Trying to help Danielsen, Sidło lent him his modern steel javelin, and Michel Macquet gave him a cup of strong coffee. Danielsen set a new world record at 85.71 m and won the gold medal. He could never reproduce that throw. Danielsen was selected Norwegian Sportsperson of the Year in 1956.

Danielsen finished tenth at the 1954 European Championships and won a silver medal in 1958, behind Sidło. He became Norwegian champion in 1953–1957.

Danielsen was an avid cross-country skier before changing to javelin throw. He took fencing lessons from a top Norwegian fencer to improve his flexibility, reflexes and the use of right arm. He retired after the 1960 Olympics and focused on his family and work at the Hamar Fire Brigade. In the 2000s he was a minor political candidate for the Norwegian Pensioner Party.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Egil Danielsen para niños

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