Marit Bjørgen, widely referred to as Norway’s queen of last winter’s Olympics in Vancouver, can finally claim that all her hard work has paid off, in more ways than one.
Bjørgen, age 30, has had her share of ups and downs during her cross-country skiing career. Strong one month, sick another, and disappointments in some international competitions. But she literally struck gold during both the Olympics and the World Championships, and now during the off-season as well.
Newspaper Aftenposten reported Wednesday that sponsors are lining up to get a piece of Bjørgen, which in turn is leading to a new gold rush of sorts. This week she signed a contract to promote Norway’s seafood exporters, a deal worth NOK 1 million. A few more deals are imminent, she said.
Bjørgen also has turned down some offers, based on both price and what she called “values.” She prefers to have long-term contracts, adding that “it’s better to have three or four big contracts, than several small ones.
“At the same time, I must believe in the product or service I’m standing behind,” she told Aftenposten. She had no problem agreeing to promote seafood, noting that she already had added more fish to her own menus, to stay healthy.
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