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In Denmark there are very few sports you can't compete in. In a number of sports Danish athletes have been among the very best in the world. And there are new star athletes on the way.
Maybe you recognize some of these names: Paul Elvstrøm, Ole Olsen, Anja Andersen, Wilson Kipketer, Peter Schmeichel, Michael and Brian Laudrup...,they have all been among the top athletes in their respective sports.
Jonas Warrer and Martin Kirketerp. Preparing for the 2008 Olympics in their 49 boat.
Paul Elvstrøm is regarded by many as the greatest athlete in the history of Olympic sailing. He participated in 8 Olympics from 1948 to 1988. He won four gold medals in a row. He also has 15 world championships to his name; in eight different boat classes no less.
Ole Olsen was a world famous speedway bike rider. He was the world champion four times during the seventies. Olsen was the first of series of exceptional Danish speedway champions: Hans Nielsen, Erik Gundersen, Tommy Knudsen, and the present world champion, Nikki Pedersen.
Anja Andersen was the world's top female handball player in the 90ties. She was the star player on the Danish team that won Olympic gold and several world championships.
Olympic shot-putter 2008, Joachim B Olsen
Wilson Kipteter was a stylish 800 meters runner who held the world record on the distance. Peter Schmeichel, was a tall, very loud, goal keeper who played many years for Manchester United as well as other clubs. He was selected as" the world's best goalkeeper" in 1992 and 1993. In 1992 he was part of Danish football's greatest triumph when the Danes won the European Championship. And we mustn't forget about the Laudrup brothers, Michael and Brian. Two magicians on the football pitch. They played for a number of big international clubs such as Juventus, FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, Ajax Amsterdam, and Celtic.
The Danish women's side is ranked among the top 7 teams in the world.
If you happen to have an interest in motor sports the name of Tom Kristensen might ring a bell. He is the only person in the world who has won the classic 24 hour race Le Mans a whopping eight times . He's a Dane, in case you didn't know.
Danish badminton players have been among the world elite for generations. We're the only European country that can give the strong Asiatic players a run for their money. The names of the great players used to be Lene Køppen, Morten Frost, or Flemming Delfs. Now the names to watch out for are: Kenneth Jonassen, Peter Gade and Tine Rasmussen
Tine Rasmussen, Olympic badminton player, 2008.
When it comes to tennis, we have to accept that our neighbours, the Swedes, have been a lot better than us. However, a new great talent is making her way towards the world elite. Her name is Caroline Wozniacki; she was born on the 11th of July 1990, so she has the future ahead of her.
Olympic tennis player, Caroline Wozniacki, 2008.
In crew, ping-pong, handball, curling, biking, triathlon, golf, and many other sports you will see Danish athletes compete at the highest level.
Olympic ping-pong player, Michael Maze, 2008.
How can a relatively small country like Denmark with a population of 5.4 million continue to produce so many good athletes? There are many reasons, but a chief reason is that sports in Denmark are rather well-organized. There are thousands of clubs with volunteer coaches where you can train and compete. But belonging to a club is not just about doing sports; the social aspect of club life is just as important.
Another explanation is that sports are sponsored by the Danish state and local municipalities. A large part of the revenue comes from the profits from the national lotto game and state run betting on football matches.
Olympic BMX rider Henrik Balterzen, 2008
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