Egil DANIELSEN

In the 1950s, the javelin throw saw rapid development due to new, more aerodynamic javelin designs, pioneered by American brothers Bud and Dick Held. Egil Danielsen of Norway still used an old-model wooden javelin in the 1956 Olympic final and after three throws performed poorly, standing only sixth. Seeing his friend in trouble, Janusz Sidło of Poland, who led comfortably with a throw of 79.98 after three rounds, lent Danielsen his new model javelin for the fourth round, and with it, Danielsen threw a world record 85.71, a mark he never bettered, to win the gold medal, dropping his friend Sidło back to a silver medal. For his Olympic victory and world record Danielsen was selected as the Norwegian Sportsperson of the Year in 1956.

Besides his Olympic gold, he won silver at the 1958 European Championships behind Sidło and also competed at the 1954 Europeans, finishing 10th, and at the 1960 Olympics, where he did not advance from qualifying. He was also the Norwegian javelin champion from 1953-57. Danielsen retired from sports after 1960 Olympics and focused on his work at the Hamar fire brigade. In the 2000s he was also a minor political candidate for the Norwegian Pensioner Party.

Personal Best: JT – 85.71 (1956).