Norwegian speed skating legend Nils Aaness has passed away.
He won, among other things, European Championship gold in Gothenburg in 1963.
Aaness was, together with Knut "Kupper'n" Johannesen, a leading figure in the Norwegian national team, which he was a part of between 1959 and 1965.
When Aaness struck at Ullevi in Gothenburg in 1963, it was one of Norwegian speed skating's proudest moments.
Norway dominated greatly and took the four first places in the European Championship, where "Kupper'n" Johannesen finished second, Per Ivar Moe third, and Magne Thomassen fourth.
A few weeks after the success in Sweden, Aaness won World Championship bronze in Japan.
He also participated in two Olympic Games, in 1960 and 1964.
Nils Aaness was 88 years old.
