Magne Gunnbjørn Myrmo (30 July 1943 – 19 November 2025) was a Norwegian cross-country skier who competed during the 1970s. He won a silver medal at the 1972 Winter Olympics in the 50 km. Myrmo won two medals at the 1974 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Falun with a gold in the 15 km and a bronze in the 4 × 10 km relay.
A major equipment revolution in cross-country skiing took place during 1973-74 where fiberglass skis (and later from more complex composite materials) replaced a nearly 3,000 year tradition of skis constructed of wood. The Norwegians were behind their competitors in this transition, which caught up with them at the 1974 championships in Falun. Myrmo won the 15 km less than a second ahead of East Germany's Gerhard Grimmer, who was using fiberglass skis, and it became historic, as the last world champion on wooden skis.
His biggest successes were at the Holmenkollen ski festival where Myrmo won twice at 15 km (1970 and 1972) and once at the 50 km (1974). Myrmo earned the Holmenkollen medal in 1972 (shared with Rauno Miettinen), and was named the 1974 Norwegian Athlete of the Year. After retiring from competitions he coached the national women's cross country team from 1978 to 1980.
Myrmo died on 19 November 2025, at the age of 82.Magne Myrmo er død: – Han var ein legendarisk skiløpar
Cross-country skiing results All results are sourced from the International Ski Federation (FIS).
Olympic Games 1 medal – (1 silver) Year Age 15 km 30 km 50 km 4 × 10 km relay 1972 28 19 21 Silver — 1976 32 55 23 — —
World Championships 2 medals – (1 gold, 1 bronze) Year Age 15 km 30 km 50 km 4 × 10 km relay 1970 26 —7 14 — 1974 30 Gold 17 11 Bronze 1978 34 — 23 — —
References
External links
- click Holmenkollmedaljen for downloadable pdf file - click Vinnere for downloadable pdf file Magne Myrmo, the last winner on wooden skis