An exotic but effective training method for a tough Scandinavian athlete (6 photos)

Patience, planning and endurance are the most important for achievement of the result of the qualities that an athlete should possess. Of course, provided that it is really aimed at the result.





And the humble Norwegian Magnar Solberg used a unique training methodology that allowed him to win the Olympics twice. The boy was born in the village of Soknedal in 1937. Like any Norwegian, since childhood decently ran skiing. After university the guy got a job with the police, where he met Martin Stockken. A colleague in the past was an athlete, for many years he was involved in athletics and became the champion of Norway. But at the global level couldn't get out.



Magnar Solberg

And Stokken invited a new friend to improve skills, improve the quality of skiing and master a new sport - biathlon. Solberg agreed, got carried away. But the guy had obvious problems with speed, and accuracy left much to be desired.

In the silence of an anthill



Martin Stocken

And the mentor came up with for the ward in the literal sense hell of a workout. Until the winter comes, the police regularly went to the forest. Where Martin hung at a distance of about 50 meters from the largest anthill of the target. And the student had to shoot, first standing in the anthill, and then continue already in the position lying.

The first workouts were wildly painful. disturbed goosebumps clung to the body, mercilessly biting all open areas. Especially got to the legs, but the insects did not bypass the face. And tolerating it sadistic mockery, it was necessary to aim and shoot. Fully focused on the process.



To surely temper the character and make steel reaction, the coach connected his four-legged friend to the process. Shepherd Martina accompanied them during outings and at the command of the owner could silently sneak up and bark right above the ear. Such exercises taught the shooter not to be distracted by extraneous stimuli and focus solely on the target, ignoring everything else.

Path to the pedestal



As a result, Magnar got into the national team and took part in 1968 Olympic Games in Grenoble. Seriously no one considered. After all, other held Norwegians, Swedes, Germans. The obvious contender for the title was our Alexander Tikhonov.

But the inconspicuous Norwegian surprised everyone. He beat Tikhonov 55 seconds and hit all the targets without exception. What turned out to be easy after executions with biting insects and suddenly appearing behind the back loud dog.



But that's not all: Solberg repeated the success in 1972, becoming the first biathlete in the history of the Olympic Games to succeed for the second time win at the same distance.

Thus, the method of training and learning through pain completely justified itself. True, none of the athletes dared to take her into service.