Thorgrimur Thrainsson

Playing career

Þorgrímur began his career with Víkingur Ólafsvík in the third division. He played 179 matches in the Icelandic Úrvalsdeild karla 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 champions 3 times and 2 times Icelandic Cup winner. Þorgrímur 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 Þorgrímur played 17 games for the Icelandic national team.

President of Valur

In October 2016, Þorgrímur was voted as the president of Valur and served until May 2019.

Work for the national team

From 2007 Þorgrímur 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.

Editorial work and journalism

From 1986 to 1997 Þorgrímur 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, Þorgrímur 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 Þorgrímur as someone who "displayed a helpful attitude in an unexpected situation".

Modeling

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

Personal life

Þorgrímur is married and has three children.

Head of Tobacco Control Task Force of Iceland

Þorgrímur 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 Grímsson 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 Þorgrímur 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 Þorgrímur 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…

2016: Barnaheill (Children's Welfare Award) for his contribution to the welfare of children 2013: City Artist of Reykjavík. Selected by the Mayor, Jón Gnarr, and as a result of voting by all political parties, for his literary contribution to the awareness and education of children and young adults 2011: The Children's Book Award for Are You God, Granddad? 2010: The Icelandic Children's Book Prize for, Are You God, Granddad? 2010: The Children's Book Award for Zero Zero 9 2005: 1st prize in a script contest of Reykjanesbær for Little red mouse 2000: Children's book award for The cow that disappeared 1997: Icelandic Children's Book Prize for, Much hides in the dark 1992: Visa-cultural prize for contribution to children's books 1991: Children's book award of Reykjavík for The tear, smile and football shoes