Hans Aalien
Norwegian Paralympic athlete (born 1958)
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Hans Anton Aalien (born 21 September 1958, Elverum, Norway) is a Norwegian Paralympic athlete from Eggedal, who competed as a blind competitor. He is one of the few athletes to have achieved success in both the Winter and Summer Paralympic Games, winning medals in cross-country skiing, swimming, and athletics. He is also known for winning a gold medal in the demonstration event for disabled skiing at the 1988 Winter Olympics event in Calgary, Alberta, Canada with a time of 18 minutes, 52.2 seconds.[1][2]
NorwayCross-country skiing
Swimming
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | 21 September 1958 |
| Sport | |
| Country | Norway |
| Sport | Athletics Cross-country skiing Swimming |
| Achievements and titles | |
| Olympic finals | 1988 Winter: 1st |
| Paralympic finals | 1980 Winter: 2 gold, 1 bronze 1984 Winter: 3 gold 1988 Winter: 2 gold, 1 silver |
Medal record | |
Career
Aalien was a dominant figure in blind cross-country skiing during the 1980s. He competed in three Winter Paralympics (1980, 1984, and 1988), winning a total of seven gold medals, one silver, and one bronze.
In addition to his winter sports career, Aalien competed in the Summer Paralympics as well. He won a silver and a bronze medal in swimming at the 1976 Summer Paralympics in Toronto and a bronze medal in athletics (800m B1) at the 1984 Summer Paralympics.[3]
1988 Winter Olympics
At the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, disabled skiing was featured as a demonstration sport. Aalien won the gold medal in the men's 5 km cross-country skiing event for the blind. He finished with a time of 18 minutes and 51.2 seconds, guided by A. Homb.[4]
