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Norwegians have the special advantages of abundant space and often living close to nature. Cross-country skiing and all forms of skating are national pastimes in the long winter season. Norway has hosted the Winter Games twice: in Oslo in 1952 and Lillehammer in 1994. Norwegians have won more medals at the Winter Games than athletes from any other country. Norway introduced ski competitions in the 18th century for its soldiers, and the first nonmilitary ski event occurred in 1843 at Tromsø. The annual Holmenkollen Ski Festival is the world's oldest (1892), attracting tens of thousands of people. Other popular sports are handball and football (soccer). |
 Telemark skier at Tryvann Vinterpark near Oslo |  People on their way back from skiing at Tryvann Vinterpark |  Children skiing at Tryvann Vinterpark |
 Snowboarder at Tryvann Vinterpark near Oslo |  Skiing at Tryvann Vinterpark |  Wyller ski slope at Tryvann Vinterpark |
 People in a ski lift at snowy Tryvann Vinterpark |