Kjell Kristian Rike

Kjell Kristian Rike
Rike as most people knew him
Born
Kjell Kristian Rike

(1944-07-12)12 July 1944
Died19 May 2008(2008-05-19) (aged 63)
AwardsGullruten honorary prize (2007)
Career
ShowVarious; mostly winter sports
StationNRK
StyleSports commentator
CountryNorway
Previous showNorge Rundt

Kjell Kristian Rike (12 July 1944 19 May 2008) was a Norwegian sports commentator, originally from Byglandsfjord. He reported on biathlon events for NRK starting in 1977, and also on cross-country skiing from 1985.

He was a commentator during several football world championships, and also at golf, cycling, track and field athletics, shooting, harness racing, and alpine skiing events.

Rike was member of the original staff of the long-running TV series Norge rundt in 1976, and is credited for having suggested the signature tune for the program, "Norsk dans nr. 2" by Edvard Grieg.

He was an active sport shooter and a Norwegian champion in 1974.

He died on 19 May 2008, about a month after he was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. He married his longtime partner, Marit Rosendahl, just a few days after being diagnosed.