Þorgrímur Þráinsson


Þorgrímur Þráinsson, is an Icelandic writer, motivational speaker, former footballer. He has been a spokesperson for health, humanity and justice. He was a presidential candidate in 2016.

Writer

Since 1989 Thorgrimur has written 34 books. He has been Iceland's most popular author of books for teenagers. His books are listed among most sold, rented and read books in Iceland.

Statistical facts

Career in sports

Playing career

Thorgrimur began his career with Vikingur Ólafsvik in the third division, 42 games. He played 179 matches in the Icelandic Premier League for Valur, one of Iceland's biggest clubs. He acted as the captain of the team from 1986 to 1990, during this period Valur became National Champion 3 times and 2 times Cup Winner. Thorgrimur played 12 games with Valur in the UEFA Champions League, against Aston Villa, Juventus, Monaco, Nantes, Dynamo Berliner and Wismut Aue.
From 1979 to 1990 Thorgrimur played 17 games for the Icelandic National Football Team, including multiple World Cup competing against teams such as: France, Spain and Scotland.

President of Valur

Since 2016 Thorgrimur is the President of his former football club, Valur. As of 2018, five Valur players have been part of the National Team as well as some notable ex-Valur players such as one of the world's best footballers, Eiður Guðjohnsen who played for Chelsea F.C. and FC Barcelona.

Work for the national team

From 2007 Thorgrimur worked for the national football team. The work included involvement with the preparations of the National Team to the participation in UEFA Euro 2016, in France, which turned out to be the biggest football success in the Icelandic history. He was involved in supporting the national team in their preparations to the participation in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Health campaigns

Head of Tobacco Control Task Force of Iceland

Thorgrimur was the head of the Tobacco Control Task Force of Iceland from 1996 to 2004. He was attempting to make Iceland the first country in the world to implement a smoking ban in clubs and restaurants. Iceland became the first country in the world to implement the Tobacco display ban.
The President of Iceland, Ólafur Ragnar Grimsson was a big support to his work and some of the press meetings were hosted by the President in the President's residence.

National Health Analysis Committee

In 2005 the Prime Minister of Iceland appointed Thorgrimur to be the head of the National Health Analysis Committee. In 2007 The committee delivered a report called: Easy life? -- how we can improve peoples' health by more activity and better nutrition.''” The report suggested potential improvement of the population's health, implemented mainly in the area of diet, awareness of physical activity and mental health. The indicated strategy was prioritizing the youngest age groups, following the idea that a healthy child is most likely to become a healthy adult.
In 2013 he was the head of the committee again, this time appointed by the Minister of Health.

TV reality show

In 2008 Thorgrimur participated in lasting 8 weeks reality show Cool in great shape by Basecamp Productions, which portrayed different public figures performing various sports and fitness tasks in order to have their biological age estimated based on their performance and health tests. Thorgrimur won the contest and at the chronological age of 49 Thorgrimur's biological age was estimated to be 27.

Motivational speaking

Since 2008, Thorgrimur has conducted programs consisting of presentations and motivational lectures for adolescents aged 15–16, titled: "Be in love with life!" and for children aged 12–14, titled: "Be the hero in your life -- by helping others". His presentations encourage youth to be responsible for their life and future and to set goals. During the past 10 years his program has taken place in all the schools of Iceland. Thorgrimur’s program delivers approx. 200 speeches and presentations a year, which will reach 2,000 in total by 2018. Annually he also delivers about 25 presentations for the companies:,,Great team spirit—what can we learn from the national team?“.

Other work and activities

Editorial work and journalism

From 1986 to 1997 Thorgrimur worked as the chief editor of Sports Magazine, and from 2002 to 2007 of Toyota Magazine.
From 1985 until 1997 he worked as a journalist for 10 different magazines such as: Fiskifréttir, Sjávarfréttir, Nýtt líf, Mannlíf, ABC, Íþróttablaðið, Hús og hýbýli, Við sem fljúgum, Gróður og garðar.

Politics

In January 2016, Thorgrimur announced his intention to run to run for presidency in the 2016, Icelandic presidential election. A few months later he decided to withdraw from the campaign in order to stay focused on motivational work with youth and to continue the work with the National Team during their participation in UEFA Euro 16.

Anecdotal reports

Many anecdotal reports by locals and tourists in Iceland were published in media, depicting Thorgrimur as someone who "displayed a helpful attitude in an unexpected situation".

Modeling

During his football career, Thorgrimur worked as a model for local clothing brands such as Icewear and Henson.

Personal life

Thorgrimur is married and has three children.

Awards