Birgit Skarstein
A Norwegian powerhouse who dominates on water and snow, claiming world titles in both para rowing and cross-country skiing.
Born 1989 (age 37)·Norwegian Paralympic athlete·Birthday: February 10·Millennials
Biography
Birgit Skarstein embodies a rare class of athlete: a champion in two completely different sports at the world level. A spinal cord injury from a medical procedure at 19 could have defined her life; instead, it launched a parallel track of elite athleticism and forceful advocacy. From a hospital bed, she set a goal to compete in the Paralympics, and she pursued it with relentless focus. In para rowing, she became a force of nature, her powerful strokes earning her a world championship title in 2013 and, after a heartbreaking fourth-place finish in Rio 2016, the ultimate prize of Paralympic gold in Tokyo 2020. Not content with a single discipline, she simultaneously pursued cross-country skiing, winning World Championship medals on snow as well. Off the field of play, Skarstein is a compelling speaker and entrepreneur, openly discussing disability, body image, and inclusion. Her retirement in 2025 closed a chapter on a career that redefined the limits of Paralympic potential, proving excellence is not confined to a single arena.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Birgit was born in 1989, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Birgit Was Born
The biggest hits of 1989
#1 Movie
Batman
Best Picture
Driving Miss Daisy
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Birgit's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1989Born
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1994Started school
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2002Became a teenager
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Could drive
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2007Could vote
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2010Turned 21
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2019Turned 30
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 37 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the Paralympic gold medal in PR1 women's single sculls rowing at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Games.
- Secured a Paralympic silver medal in the 15km cross-country skiing event at the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Games.
- Captured six world championship titles in para rowing across her career.
- Held the world best time in the PR1 women's single sculls event.
Did You Know?
She is a trained journalist and has worked as a reporter and presenter for Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK).
She co-founded the company 'Rullestolreisen' (Wheelchair Travel), which arranges accessible travel adventures.
She carried the flag for Norway at the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
She was named Norway's Female Para Athlete of the Year multiple times.
“The water doesn't care if you use a wheelchair; it only cares if you push.”
