London 2012: The Countdown Series: Norway

106 days to go until the first day of the London Olympics. Next up on the parade of nations: Norway (NOR).

Norway has participated in the summer Olympics since the first modern day Olympics of 1896. A total of 150 medals have been won by Norwegian athletes in the summer games, including 57 gold medals.

Shooter Ole Lilloe-Olsen (pictured) has the most individual gold medals amongst Norwegian athletes in the summer games with five. He won twice in the running target, single shot team at Antwerp 1920 and Paris 1924; in the running target, double shot at Antwerp 1920 and Paris 1924, and in the running target, team double shot at Antwerp 1920.

Two Norwegians have four gold medals each, both in shooting events. Einar Liberg won in the 300m free rifle team three position at London 1908; in the running target, single shot team at Antwerp 1920 and Paris 1924, and in the running target, double shot team at Antwerp 1920 and Paris 1924. Otto Olsen won the 300m military rifle prone at Antwerp 1920, in the running target, single shot at Antwerp 1920 and in the running target, single shot team at Antwerp 1920 and Paris 1924.

Two Norwegians have three gold medals each. Shooter Harald Natvig won the single shot, running target team at Antwerp 1920 and Paris 1924, and in the running target, double shot team at Antwerp 1920. Canoeist Knut Holmann won in the 500m kayak singles at Sydney 2000 and in the 1000m kayak singles at Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000.

Javelin thrower Andreas Thorkildsen (pictured) is among thirteen Norwegians that have won two gold medals in the summer games:

• Albert Helgerud (shooting)
• Johan Anker (sailing)
• Andreas Brecke (sailing)
• Magnus Konow (sailing)
• Hans Nordvik (shooting)
• Ingar Nielsen (sailing)
• August Ringvald Sr. (sailing)
• Hakon Barfod (sailing)
• Sigve Lie (sailing)
• Thor Thorvaldsen (sailing)
• Jon Ronningen (wrestling)
• Andreas Thorkildsen (athletics)
• Olaf Tufte (rowing)

At the team level, the women's football (soccer) team won gold at Sydney 2000, defeating United States in the final. The women's handball team won gold at Beijing 2008 after defeating Russia in the final.

As of now, 60 Norwegian athletes are headed to London to compete in ten events-including athletics, cycling, weightlifting and wrestling. Women's football (soccer) has also qualified for the London games.

Up next: Oman