This week Brett welcomes Robin Dale Oen on the show to talk about his late brother Alexander Dale Oen, the Norwegian Olympic swimmer who tragically passed away in 2012 at the age of 26. Robin and Alexander grew up swimming together and dreamed of competing in the Olympics. While Robin had success as a sprinter, Alexander established himself as one of the world's top breaststrokers, winning silver at the 2008 Olympics behind Kosuke Kitajima.
Tragically, Alexander passed away from an undiagnosed heart condition just months before the 2012 London Olympics, where he was considered a top contender. To honor his brother's memory and legacy, Robin started the Dale Oen Foundation, which uses outdoor activities to inspire and develop youth across Norway. The foundation now has six centers around the country serving over 1,000 young people annually.
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0:00 - Introduction and swimming background
2:00 - Alexander's success and early health signs
4:30 - Details of Alexander's tragic passing in 2012
7:00 - Starting the foundation in Alexander's honor
9:30 - Foundation's centers and outdoor programs
12:00 - Stories about Alexander's character
14:30 - Robin's continued involvement in swimming
17:00 - Brothers' journey to Olympics dreams
19:30 - Foundation's community impact and legacy
22:00 - Funding challenges for foundation's work
24:30 - Hopes for Norwegian swimming's future
27:00 - Robin's invitation for me to visit Norway
29:30 - Appreciation for the interview
32:00 - Honoring Alexander's memory
34:30 - Details on annual foundation conferences
37:00 - Impact of podcast and motivation
40:00 - Conclusion and farewell
