Hans Anton Aalien

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.

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.

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.