Oslo Idrettslag is a Norwegian multi-sports club from Oslo, with sections for swimming, speed skating, figure skating and athletics.
History It was founded on 3 September 1893 as Kristiania Idrætsforening, partly on the ruins of the clubs Dovre, Kristiania SF and SF Ørnen. The main sports were athletics, speed skating and Nordic skiing. Its first sports field was at Klosterengen in Gamle Oslo, later a speed skating track at Frognerjordet. In 1907 a field at Bislett was secured for the future Bislett stadion, by the club's foremost administrator Martinus Lørdahl. The club changed its name to Oslo Idrettslag after the city Kristiania in 1924 changed its name to Oslo.
The club acquired a sports cabin at Kolsåstoppen in Bærum in 1916. The cabin had formerly been displayed at the 1914 Jubilee Exhibition, as a contribution from the Norwegian Trekking Association. The cabin is still named KIF-hytta despite the name change from Kristiania IF.
Athletics The club had some of the winningest athletes in Norway, mainly before the Second World War. By 1933, the men from Kristiania IF/Oslo IL had won 134 Norwegian championship titles as well as 13 in relay. The winningest athlete on the domestic level was Kaare Bache with eleven championships. He was a 1920 Olympian.Kaare Bache at Sports Reference Ferdinand Bie was a 1912 Olympic champion in pentathlon.Ferdinand Bie at Sports Reference Edvard Larsen won an Olympic bronze in 1908 and competed in 1912.Edvard Larsen at Sports Reference
Other Olympians in the club include Otto Haug (1906),Otto Haug at Sports Reference Henry Olsen (1908),Henry Olsen at Sports Reference Nils Dahl (1908 and 1912),Nils Dahl at Sports Reference Oscar Larsen (1908 and 1912),Oscar Larsen at Sports Reference Birger Brodtkorb (1912),Birger Brodtkorb at Sports Reference Daniel Johansen (1912),Daniel Johansen at Sports Reference Herman Sotaaen (1912),Herman Sotaaen at Sports Reference Bjarne Guldager (1920),Bjarne Guldager at Sports Reference Einar Ræder (1920),Einar Raeder at Sports Reference Einar Mangset (1920),Einar Mangset at Sports Reference and Einar Tommelstad (1928).Einar Tommelstad at Sports Reference Otto Monsen took one national title for Kristiania IF, but did not represent the club in the Olympics. Other national champions include John Falchenberg (3 for Kristiania IF) and Sigurd Roll (1 title).
Speed skating Well-known speed skaters include Aage Johansen, Odd Lundberg, Alv Gjestvang, Per Bjørang, Per Ivar Moe, Lisbeth Korsmo, Roald Aas (Olympic gold medallist in 1960, also competed in 1952 and 1956),Roald Aas at Sports Reference Jørn Didriksen (Olympic silver in 1976),Jorn Didriksen at Sports Reference Gunnar Konsmo (1948 Olympian),Gunnar Konsmo at Sports Reference Hroar Elvenes (Olympian in 1952, 1956, 1960 and 1964),Hroar Elvenes at Sports Reference Sigmund Søfteland (Olympian in 1952 and 1956),Sigmund Softeland at Sports Reference Jan Kristiansen (1956 Olympian),Jan Kristiansen at Sports Reference Kirsti Biermann (1968 and 1972 Olympian)Kirsti Biermann at Sports Reference and Ole Christian Iversen (1972 Olympian).Ole Christian Iversen at Sports Reference
Figure skating Olympic figure skaters include Andreas Krogh (1920),Andreas Krogh at Sports Reference Margot Moe (1920),Margot Moe at Sports Reference Nanna Egedius (1936),Nanna Egedius at Sports Reference Marit Henie (1948), Berit Unn Johansen (1964).Berit Unn Johansen at Sports Reference
Swimming Swimmers from Oslo IL have won about 1000 Norwegian titles. Well-known swimmers include Ulf Gustavsen, Rolf Bagle, Lars Krogh, Inger Nordbø, Beda Leirvåg and Trine Krogh. Pre-war Olympians are John Johnsen (1912),John Johnsen at Sports Reference Herbert Wetter (1912),Herbert Wetter at Sports Reference Knut Olsen (1928)Knut Olsen at Sports Reference and Per Olsen (1952).Per Olsen at Sports Reference
Defunct sports The club fielded a men's handball team, which won the Norwegian outdoor championships in 1956, 1957 and 1958.
References
External links Official site, swimming Official site, skating