Thorgrimur Thrainsson

Biography

Þorgrímur Þráinsson (born 8 January 1959 in Reykjavík), is an Icelandic writer, motivational speaker and former footballer. He has been a spokesperson for health, humanity and justice.

== Writer == Since 1989, Þorgrímur has written 38 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. [see bibliography]

=== Statistical facts === According to statistics provided by Icelandic libraries, a book by Þorgrímur is rented once every 5 minutes. Seven of his books made it to the list of the 100 Best Books of the Century published by Icelandic Publishers' Association. Two of his books were listed as Best Children's Books of the Century published by Icelandic Publishers' Association, which is the second highest score after the Nobel Prize Winner Halldór Laxness. He is the only author in Iceland to simultaneously have 2 of his books in 1st and 2nd place on the Icelandic Record Sale List. Two of his books were listed as Best Selling Fiction Books in 2010: The Fog and Are You God, Granddad? His book, How to Make Your Wife Happy – Sexual and Practical Tips for Men, was the most talked-about book in Iceland in 2007.

== Career in sports ==

=== 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.

== Health campaigns ==