Norway’s goal for the Paris Olympics was eight medals. Before the final weekend, the country has three medals.
10:20am•Updated 10:25am
Paris Olympics on channels 26.7.–11.8. Go to the competition website here. You can find the entire program of the games here.
The Paris Olympics are historic for Finns, because for the first time ever, Finland is going to be without a medal at the Olympics.
So far, Norway is also lagging behind its medal goal. Norwegian newspaper VG tellsthat Norway’s Olympiatoppen set a goal of eight medals for the Paris Olympics, i.e. the same amount as the country achieved three years ago in Tokyo.
Before the final weekend, the Norwegians have won three medals in Paris – one of each color.
On Friday evening, Norway’s medal balance increased with silver. Karsten Warholm sought to repeat the Olympic gold in the 400-meter hurdles, but eventually settled for silver.
– You also have to be satisfied with the medal, because that is not a given either, Warholm comment for NRK.
Still, the silver was a disappointment for him, because the goal was higher.
– I know I can do better.
Warholm was in contention for the gold coming into the final straight, but a mistake at the penultimate fence mixed up the Norwegian rhythm and the American Ray Benjamin reached the finish line first.
– There is absolutely no room for such mistakes at the Olympics, Warholm said.
Warholm clocked a time of 47.06 in the evening in Paris, which is more than a second slower than his world record time three years ago at the Tokyo Olympics.
Warholm was also upset with his coach By Leif Olav Alnes for, because he felt that he had betrayed him. At the same time, Warholm said that he knows the coach is always there for him.
– I believe that with his history, he can be disappointed with the second place. I don’t think many others should be, Alnes commented to NRK.
Running star told Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet that he received a lot of support and positive feedback from people.
– I feel like I should have given them gold. I am grateful to everyone who still supports me and I am happy to give them a medal, said Warholm.
Also the Crown Prince of Norway Haakon and the crown princess Mette-Marit were watching athletics at the Stade de France on Friday.
– They congratulated me for the silver, and I think they think it’s fun to win a medal, Warholm told Dagbladet about his encounter with the crown prince couple.
Still a chance for a medal
Norway opened its medal account a week ago when Markus Rooth unexpectedly won the 10-match. In addition Line Flem Høst achieved sailing bronze.
Earlier this week, the Norwegian runner who started as the early favorite for the 1,500 meters Jakob Ingebrigtsen came fourth in the final.
Norway still has opportunities to increase its medal haul in the final weekend. At least one medal is already certain, as the Norwegian women’s national handball team will play against France in the final on Saturday.
In addition, on Saturday, for example, Ingebrigtsen will compete in the 5,000-meter final, as well as the World Championship and European Championship medalist Solfrid Koanda competes in weightlifting.