Did you think I would forget Andreas Thorkildsen

Kids, a count down of non-US athletes at the Olympics wouldn't be a Scooter original if it didn't include Andreas Thorkildsen.  He is the Norwegian 2 time defending Gold Medal holder of the Javelin (from Athens and Beijing).

In Athens

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Eddie and I saw him in Beijing - where after every throw he would change from his jersey to his lucky shirt.
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Andreas has a smile to like the place up.
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He has even more riding on this particular games though, as he is now pretty much Norway's only Gold Medal hope.
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Norway's 100 Meter Breaststroke World Champion, Alexander Dale, died while training two weeks ago.  He had a hereditary heart condition that people didn't know of until he died in Arizona, training for the Olympics.
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As Andreas and Alex were friends (both trained in the US, Dale in Arizona and Andreas in San Diego), Anderas was questioned about it a lot.  He has responded that at Alexander Dale died doing what he loved.
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In Beijing

And Andreas said he would continue to compete as long as it was fun and he could compete at the level he expects to.
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How he looks now.

Andreas seems to have a great attitude about sport and life.  I hope for the best for him.  He has made me enjoy watching the Javelin.  I just hope he brings his lucky shirt again.

Andreas in Italian Men's Vogue in 2011