Danish Skater Viktor Thorup Wins Historic Silver Medal
“I am completely satisfied and at a loss for words. It went well. It is absolutely fantastic,” shared Viktor Thorup with NRK, a sentiment echoed by his radiant smile. The Danish athlete made history by claiming the silver medal in speed skating, marking Denmark’s first Winter Olympic medal since 1998 and only the second in the nation’s history.
In the early stages of the skating final, Thorup surged ahead with Dutch skater Jorrit Bergsma, quickly leaving the rest of the field behind. Although Bergsma ultimately took home the gold, it was clear that Thorup was brimming with joy.
“It means a lot. I have dedicated my life to this sport, putting in the effort since I started skating at five years old,” he reflected thoughtfully.
A Bittersweet Situation for the Thorup Family
Denmark could have potentially garnered even more medals if Sofia Thorup, Viktor’s wife, had been able to compete. At the European Championships, she triumphed against Italian favorite Francesca Lollobrigida, finishing first. However, due to her pending Danish citizenship—required for Olympic competition—Sofia was absent from the Olympic stage.
Expressing his frustration about the situation, Viktor stated, “It has affected me a lot. I’m not satisfied with the Danish Skating Association. We have a European champion who is still not in the national team. It’s absolutely insane.”
NRK has reached out to the Danish Skating Federation, but they have opted to keep the matter confidential.
Navigating Challenges Amidst Turbulent Times
Sofia has previously represented Russia in the Winter Olympics but has faced challenges since the ban of Russian athletes following the country’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. “It’s tough. We have family in Russia, and navigating this situation is extremely complicated. With all the adversity—be it doping scandals or wars—it can feel overwhelming,” Viktor explained.
Nonetheless, he praised Sofia’s resilience, stating, “Winning the European Championship was absolutely crazy. She’s my inspiration. If she can achieve that, she will certainly conquer any obstacles in her path. She has my unwavering support.”
A Momentous Victory for Denmark
The last time Denmark brought home an individual medal in the Winter Olympics was nearly three decades ago, during the 1998 Nagano Games, when the women’s curling team earned silver. “Honestly, I’m somewhat speechless,” admitted Mikkel Sansone Øhrgaard, Denmark’s Olympic chief. “I get goosebumps just thinking about it,” he continued, underscoring the significance of Thorup’s achievement.
Chairman of the Danish Sports Confederation, Hans Natorp, emphasized the magnitude of this moment. “This is huge. We’ve had a successful Olympics, and now this medal is an unexpected surprise.”
Reflecting on Denmark’s limited history in winter sports, Natorp shared a lighthearted remark about previous achievements, saying, “We do not have the winter sports heritage that countries like Norway have. But now, I can proudly say I, too, have a medal.”
When asked if he was surprised by Thorup’s silver, he commented, “Not really. He is a talented performer, and I would like to extend my congratulations to Viktor.”
As the celebrations continue, both Viktor and Sofia Thorup are left to navigate the complexities ahead, united by ambition and love, as they look toward a future filled with hope.
