Proud to hail from Aalborg
At international events, the announcer introduces Joakim as “representing Denmark,” but he’s also a big, strong fellow from Aalborg. He was born here, and it was here at the Skovdalen sports facility that people noticed that the kid had some shot-putting abilities that were far above average.
Joakim is not at all ashamed to be associated with Aalborg.
“Aalborg is still my city, and I’m proud to come from here,” he declares.
He says it without a hint of hesitation – and with a quiet confidence about his status that characterises him when he talks about himself and his home town. He’s so accomplished at his sport that he doesn’t need to boast. A special trait among North Jutlanders and Aalborgians?
Perhaps. But despite his modest nature, Joakim doesn’t hold back the praise when he describes the city where he spent the first 18 years of his life.
He speaks in headlines: “Aalborg is a happy, lively city. It’s always a pleasure to come home to it.
It’s a city with power and dynamics.”
A new version of northern power
Another version of northern power from Aalborg is “Nordkraft,” a recent bestseller written by another famous person from Aalborg, Jakob Ejersbo. The novel, which has also been made into a movie, deals with disenfranchised youth in a tough drug environment, set in Aalborg.
But this ugly world is not the one that greets Joakim when he makes a trip home. In fact, he never witnessed this dark side of life while he grew up here. But he does recognise some aspects of the book that describe Aalborg, however. Namely, a certain directness and assertive nature.
“Aalborg is an enterprising city, uncomplicated, jovial and full of confidence. This probably stems from its past as a working-class town,” Joakim says. “Even though the city has an outstanding university, there isn’t much academic snobbery in Aalborg.”
This enterprising spirit also applies to his world: sport.
“Right now, Aalborg is a leader in a number of sports, like football, hockey and women’s handball,” he says. He mentions that at the most recent European track and field championships, in Helsinki, another Danish athlete, Anders Møller, reached the finals in the triple-jump event. And where does he come from?
You guessed it - Aalborg.
Nice city to come home to
The pulsating life of Aalborg is always nice to come home to. And it has many things to offer its guests, according to Joakim.
“You can really have fun here. Aalborg has a great nightlife, especially in Jomfru Ane Gade,” he says, adding that Aalborg’s history is another major attraction.
“I’ve trained in the USA, and I know some of the major American cities which have a lot of exciting qualities,” Joakim explains. “But they don’t have the history that Aalborg possesses.”
He urges visitors to stop in at Duus Wine Cellar in the Renaissance-era Jens Bangs Stenhus. “Here is where you can get a sense of the city’s history, along with a little glass of something, and some good company.”
Pretty girls who get ‘dolled up’
Aalborg has another special attraction that Joakim admires every time he comes home: the pretty girls. “Aalborg girls,” as he calls them.
“I can always recognise a girl from Aalborg - they have something special,” he says. “They’re very feminine, and they like to get dolled up, but in a tasteful, elegant way. They’ve got a sense of style, and they dress in smart, fashionable clothes.”
Despite his enthusiasm for Aalborg and its female population, Joakim lives in Aarhus for the time being. But there’s a practical reason for this: Team Danmark has located its elite training there. At present, Joakim is preparing for his next major event, the indoor World Championships in Moscow, in March 2006.
“In the long run, I can’t rule out returning to Aalborg, perhaps as an athletics coach,” says Joakim B. Olsen..