NORWAY: Thor Hushovd

Norway - Thor Hushovd

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Credit: nj.com

Thor Hushovd, also known as "The God of Thunder" and back in Norway, "The Bull of Grimstad," is Norway AND Scandinavia's pride and joy in the world of cycling. His name has become synonymous with three jerseys: his rainbow jersey which he earned in 2010 for winning the World Road Cycling Championships in Australia; his green jersey from the Tour de France, which he has won twice in 2005 and 2009; and his Norwegian flag jersey, which he has worn at every other chance.

Hushovd's nickname, the "God of Thunder," manages to meld his national origins along with his larger-than-life status as a national symbol and sports hero in both Norway and Scandinavia. Indeed, Hushovd has managed to transcend a boundary between sports hero, national symbol, and larger-than-life champion. While his synonymity with the Green Jersey at the Tour de France through the 2000s grew his notoriety, particularly in Scandinavia, his Road Cycling World Championship victory cemented him as the "Norwegian God of Thunder". Indeed, this victory signified the pinnacle of his ascent and completed the myth of the Man-God that had begun several years earlier:

The reason for Hushovd's mythical rise in the Tour de France among the media and pundits in cycling is open to speculation. That said, a reason constantly referred to by media in Norway and elsewhere is the previously unheard-of success of Norwegian riders in the Tour de France, and Hushovd's comparative dominance. Not only had there barely been any success experienced by Norwegians at the Tour de France, but Hushovd ascended and not only experienced success, but truly dominated sprinting portions of the Tour. This thrust him into the spotlight and further, allowed both Norwegians and Scandinavians alike to proudly partake in the pan-European tradition of the Tour de France. They proudly and exhuberantly traveled to see him race, literally sang his praises, and their long-awaited inclusion in the Tour through Hushovd's successes prompted his status as one of Norway's five most famous, important, and revered athletes of all time . Until this point, Norwegians had largely been excluded from this European tradition. To offer an example of the importance which Norwegians took in their presence in the Tour de France, and the pride of that presence being led by Hushovd, Norwegian newspaper Skylingens Verden considered Hushovd's absence of the 2012 Tour as a "bomb": A bomb to the nation and its pan-European identity developing through the Tour de France.

Bont's limited edition Hushovd-Norway shoe (Credit: Cycling News)

Though it is difficult to know exactly which came first, the nationalist legend of Hushovd or Hushovd's exuberant display of nationalism, Hushovd's adoption of Norwegian symbols in his riding, and Norway's adoption of Hushovd as a national symbol have both taken place. Indeed, Thor serves as an ambassador for Norway through his use of Norway's colours at every chance he gets in addition to being a highly successful rider. He is viewed as the impetus for a recent spike in Norwegian cycling success, is looked to for leadership in public issues in Norway such as the bike traffic versus car traffic debate, and is held to expectations which are often even higher than his own (as Norwegian television expected him to be a force on the Tour de France in 2013, even though neither he nor his team at BMC felt that he was ready, coming off of injury, and he was subsequently withheld). In fact, the 2011 Tour de France was dubbed the "Tour de Norway" by other foreign media outlets due to periods of Hushovd's dominance that year. Indeed, even among Norwegian sportscasters, Hushovd brings out a nationalistic fervour through his successes at the Tour de France:

Hushovd is viewed as the protagonist in the rise of Norwegian cycling, but also the future of it. In fact, he is the main ambassador, an enthusiastic and nationalist one at that, for the Amaury Group-organized (same group which organizes the Tour de France and Dakar Rally) Arctic Race of Norway, beginning in 2013 which will tour through Norway's northernmost terrain.

Based on the research, Thor Hushovd's importance to Norwegian cycling, sport, and culture was immense due to his ability to include Norway as a part of the Tour de France, one of Europe's most prestigious sporting events. Moreover, he solidified his legendary status through his dominance and also his acceptance and pride in representing the red, blue, and white of Norway.

However, this data was all extrapolated and speculated upon, so an attempt was made to reach out, by e-mail, to a sports journalist in Norway: Synne Kvam, who had written an article for the renowned Norwegian news service, Dagbladet, about Hushovd's Tour de France history.

The question to Ms. Kvam was posed via e-mail as thus:

"What impact has Thor Hushovd had in the Norwegian sports community, and what does he mean or symbolize to Norway as a nation?"

Ms. Kvam responded as such, also via e-mail:

Thus far, Ms. Kvam's answers confirmed what this post had speculated on: that Hushovd's unparalleled TdF successes helped to grow the sport in Norway as an outlet for patriotism and because they had never been a part of something so significant before. Moreover, that Hushovd's successes ushered in a heretofore 'golden era' for Norwegian cycling, as can be seen through Hagen's ascent to the Tour.

Ms. Kvam continued:

Ms. Kvam continues to affirm insights that were supported by extrapolative research: that Hushovd's evocation of nationalism among Norwegians through his victories and his public display of his patriotism has served to grow both his own cult and following, but also cycling popularity among the public in Norway. Moreover, as was previously mentioned, Hushovd's voice is well-respected and listened-to, and his successes greatly contributed to a new level of interest and success by Norwegian riders.

Ms. Kvam concluded with the following:

Thus, we see the level of reverence among the media, the public, and the athletes are all extremely elevated, and derived from not only his successes but also the way he conducts himself (ie, garnering votes from other athletes). Moreover, Hushovd's promotion of Norway and representation of Norway through his humble dignity and sportsman-like attitude plays a major part of why he has risen above the status of a "normal" successful athlete, and instead becomes a national symbol and idol.

Credit: Cycling News