Queen Sonja Gives Out Sports Award

The Queen of Norway was at the Olympic site of Lillehammer Saturday to present the Ildsjel Prize to cyclist Vidar Boe, for his work with society’s neediest.

Kristoffer Overli Andersen/Scanpix

Queen Sonja arrived at Haakon’s Hall with Tove Paule, President of the Norwegian Confederation of Sports, for the annual Sports Gala. It was she who praised Boe for his work.

“Without volunteering, Norway and many other parts of our society would not have the standard we have today. I think, therefore, it is very nice to get to award the prize,” Queen Sonja said before calling Boe up to the stage.

Once there, Boe spoke of his concern for the next generation.

“This award shows that we need a voluntary basis. What concerns me is that the tail of a generation of enthusiasts is about to disappear,” he said.

Boe is known in Norway for cycling through the country with another cyclist, Tahir Hussein of Pakistan, who is blind.

Upon receiving the award, Boe called Hussein up, the first time the two had been together since cycling last year.

“Vidar has worked for the weak all my life and deserves this award. It was worth the long trip from Pakistan to meet him again,” said Hussein.

And Boe had these kind words to say about the Queen.

“She’s a great lady. This is not a show when Her Majesty comes to award the prize. Then it means something to her and praiseworthy. I really feel that this is not some other rank price.”