The 2025 Idrettsgallaen Award Ceremony took place on Saturday evening at Trondheim Spektrum, honoring Norway's top athletes across various sports. This year marked the 23rd iteration of the ceremony, which has become revered for celebrating outstanding athletic achievements within the country.
For the first time in years, attendees saw record participation, with organizers reporting a dramatic increase in nominees present compared to past years. Host Erik Solbakken noted, “It is actually historical how many nominees are here tonight. There has been a tendency since we've been on during winter, with many stars competing or away for training camps, but now they are here, and I think that's incredibly exciting,” he told Nettavisen. The number of nominees present had grown to nearly half of those nominated, contrasting starkly with just one-third attendance the previous year.
The standout of the evening was undeniably 23-year-old Markus Rooth, who unexpectedly captured three prestigious awards, including 'Årets gjennombrudd' (Breakthrough of the Year) and 'Årets mannlige utøver' (Male Athlete of the Year). Upon receiving his third award, Rooth’s emotional response revealed how significant this recognition was for him and his family, saying, “It’s fantastic! I’m really happy!” He thanked his coach and family, especially his father, highlighting their unwavering support throughout his career. Rooth’s performance has been remarkable this past year, culminating with his Olympic gold medal which he secured with unprecedented poise and newfound personal records. "I had no expectations of this at all. Perhaps I hoped to win one, but three was beyond my wildest dreams,” he expressed, grinning.
The night was also filled with accolades for other athletes. Solfrid Koanda was named the Female Athlete of the Year for her excellence in weightlifting. Meanwhile, Tommy Urhaug took home the Male Para Athlete of the Year title, making it his seventh consecutive award, already solidifying his place as one of the greats within the para-athletics community. Team awards were dominated by the successful Handball team, who outshone their counterparts to receive 'Årets lag' (Team of the Year).
Yet, the evening was not without controversy. The omission of Martin Ødegaard, captain of both Arsenal and the Norwegian national team, raised eyebrows and ignited discussions among fans and commentators alike. Morten Pedersen of Nettavisen expressed disbelief at the decision, stating, “I believe the jury does not understand what it means to be at the highest level as a football player. It is truly a shame.” His sentiment was echoed by former national team player John Arne Riise, who took to social media, incredulously stating, “I cannot believe the captain of Arsenal and Norway is not nominated. How can this be possible?”
The general consensus was one of disbelief. Many considered Ødegaard’s stellar performance and leadership qualities as more than sufficient for nomination; many call for more inclusivity in next year's nominations process. “It would have been fitting for someone of his caliber to at least receive recognition,” remarked Rooth when asked about Ødegaard's absence at the ceremony.
All votes for this prestigious event are counted carefully by the jury, which for this year consisted of notable athletic figures and former Olympians. While the jury had put forth several exceptional nominees, many believe they missed the mark on excluding such noteworthy talent as Ødegaard.
Overall, the Idrettsgallaen 2025 was hailed as both a celebratory landmark for Norwegian sports and, simultaneously, marred by frustrations over the nomination process. With participation at unprecedented levels and more awards than ever, the spotlight was cast upon both current stars as well as the decisions behind who gets recognized for their achievements. Some hope the upcoming years will bring more comprehensive representation as the nominated athletes and their contributions continue to shine brightly across the sports world.