Nittedal Church was filled to capacity on Friday as Norwegian skiing said its final goodbye to one of its greats. The funeral of Odd Martinsen gathered not only much of the country’s cross-country elite from the past 50 years, but also many other prominent figures from Norwegian sports.

“Relay-Martin” became a household name in Norwegian skiing, and Odd Martinsen was the last surviving member of “the four greats,” alongside Harald Grønningen, Ole Ellefsæter, and Gjermund Eggen — the team that won the historic relay gold at the 1966 World Championships in Oslo.

At those championships, Martinsen also claimed silver in the 30km, behind Italy’s sensational winner Franco Nones. In total, the relay specialist from Nittedal earned three Olympic medals and five World Championship medals.

He later became a respected sports leader, serving as chairman of the FIS Cross-Country Committee from 1986 to 2002.

“He was a leader who set high standards, but was also generous and deeply passionate about volunteer work,” said former Ski Federation President Sverre Seeberg during the ceremony at Nittedal Church.

Martinsen’s daughter, Olympic champion Bente Skari, also delivered a heartfelt speech about her father. The two are the only parent–child duo ever to receive the prestigious Holmenkollen Medal. Earlier this year, Martinsen’s grandson, Filip Skari, became junior world champion — giving the family three generations of world champions on skis.

In addition to the Holmenkollen Medal, Odd Martinsen was also appointed Knight 1st Class of the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav.

After his active career, Martinsen and his family built up the company Finor, the Norwegian importer of the Fischer ski brand. The memorial gathering, held after the funeral, was also held there.

Odd Martinsen was born during World War II on December 20, 1942, and passed away on October 27 at the age of 82 after a long illness.

Among those attending the funeral were the presidents of the Norwegian Sports Federation and Ski Federation, numerous former ski stars, and several well-known figures from across Norwegian sports.

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