Lakhasly

Norway, a small country of 5.5 million inhabitants,
has won more Winter Games medals than any other nation. It became the first country to win 100 Olympic gold medals, and reached the 300-medal milestone in the Winter Games of 2010.
Norwegians go cross-country skiing El. ski-jumping
F. or downhill skiing on weekends, on holidays. and after work. When the snow starts melting in
spring. they move lt up to the mountains. And if there is no access to snow. they skate on ice. 2,500 lit tracks all over the country make it possible for people to ski in winter. although it gets dark earlv
Norwegians have enjoyed skiing for thousands of years. A rock carving in Nordland County in the north provides evidence that the use of skis dates back to the Stone Age. Until about a century ago. skis were the only means of transport in winter and essential for hunting.
Skiing did not become a mass sport until the mid-1880s when the first competitions were arranged.
Sondre Norheim, who is considered the father of
modern skiing, was the onginator or the relemark skis, which are narrower in the middle than at the front and back and have stiff heel bindings. The shape made turning easier, and the heel binding allowed skiers to jump from rooftops or over rocks without losing their skis.
Polar exnlorers made skis known internationally and
Tonstrated their unique merits on terrain that could not be crossed any other way. Roald Amundsen was the first man to reach the South Pole in 1911, on skis. Fridtjof Nansen
crossed the Greenland interior on skis in 1880.Other ayolorers have followed the routes used by these two famous expiorers and skied to both the North and South Poles.
Annual cross-country events are organized
throughout Norwav. attracting a areat number of participants. Such events are not restricted to athletes, but include "keep fit" categories that allow more people to participate. Enjoying the exercise and nature is as important as achleving the fastest time and winning prizes in these events.
Biathlon El was first included in the Winter Olympic
program in 1960. It is a cross-country skiing race interspersed with shooting contests. Norwegians are very strong cross-country skiers and have won most onine cross country sking megais in the Winter Olympics over the years.
Alpine sking El has also gained a lot of followers, as has freestyle . which is a relatively newer sport. Norwegians are among the world's best in