Vebjørn Rodal

Vebjørn Rodal (born 16 September 1972) is a Norwegian former middle distance athlete. He is an Olympic champion and won the gold medal in the 800 metres event at the 1996 Summer Olympics with the time 1:42.58. He is also a World Championships bronze medallist, European Championships silver medallist and European Indoor Championships bronze medallist in the 800 metres. Rodal is also the former Olympic record holder in the 800 m event and held the record until the 2012 Summer Olympics. Since 2010, Rodal has worked as a track and field commentator for NRK.

Biography Rodal, born and raised in Berkåk in Rennebu Municipality, made his senior international debut in 1992, at the Barcelona Olympics, reaching the semi-finals in his event, the 800 m. Part of a group of successful Norwegian athletes, he won his first international medal only two years later, placing second at the 1994 European Championships.

By finishing third in the final of the 1995 World Championships, he established himself as one of the top 800 m runners in the world, and was among the medal contenders for the 1996 Summer Olympics, held in Atlanta. Not present at the Olympics was world champion Wilson Kipketer, who had emigrated from Kenya to Denmark, but wasn't allowed to run for his new country by the Kenyans. This made the final wide open. Rodal made the final, which was run in a blistering pace. Rodal overtook most of the field in his second lap, and took the lead at the last bend, crossing the line first in a new Olympic record of 1:42.58, which stood until the 2012 Summer Olympics. With four runners under 1:43, the final was one of the fastest 800 m ever run.

After failing to qualify for the 800 m event final at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney and finishing seventh in the semi-final, Rodal retired from competing internationally due to injuries and lack of motivation. He has later entered national competitions on occasion. Since 2010, Rodal has worked as a track and field commentator for NRK.

Competition record