Leif Gøran Jenssen (born 19 March 1948) is a former Norwegian weightlifter. He became Olympic Champion in 1972 in the light-heavyweight class.[2][3] He obtained silver medal three times in the World Championships, in 1970s, 1971 and 1974.[4][5] Jenssen was elected Norwegian Sportsperson of the Year 1971.

Leif Jenssen
Personal information
Full nameLeif Gøran Jenssen
Born (1948-03-19) 19 March 1948 (age 76)[1]
Fredrikstad, Norway
Sport
SportWeightlifting
Medal record
Men's weightlifting
Representing  Norway
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 1972 Munich −82.5 kg
World Championships
Silver medal – second place 1970 Columbus −75 kg
Silver medal – second place 1971 Lima −75 kg
Silver medal – second place 1974 Manila −82.5 kg

Until January 1973 use of anabolic steroids was not prohibited. Jenssen has been open about his use of steroids until the ban, including during the 1972 Olympics. He started using methandrostenolone prescribed by his general practitioner in 1970. He stated that he has no bad conscience about the use, as he estimates that 49 of 50 of the world's best weightlifters used steroids at the time. He regards it as impossible to have won the Olympic medal without use of the performance-enhancing drugs, but has stated that he believes that if no-one had used them, including himself, he would still have won.[6]

References

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  1. ^ Lillesvangstu, Rune Fossum; Bryhn, Rolf. "Leif Jenssen". In Bolstad, Erik (ed.). Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Oslo: Norsk nettleksikon. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  2. ^ Profile: "Leif Jenssen" Archived 25 August 2007 at the Wayback Machine - databaseOlympics.com (Retrieved on 26 December 2007)
  3. ^ "Olympic Games Medallists - Weightlifting" - (Retrieved on 26 December 2007)
  4. ^ "World Championships Men: -75 kg". Sports123.com. Archived from the original on 21 April 2008.
  5. ^ "World Championships Men: -82.5 kg". Sports123.com. Archived from the original on 21 April 2008.
  6. ^ Lote, Arne; Fange, Per Øyvind. "– Hadde aldri tatt OL-gull uten steroider" (in Norwegian). Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 10 July 2012. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
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Preceded by Norwegian Sportsperson of the Year
1971
Succeeded by