Joy across the globe: It's a girl for Olympic biathlete Leif Nordgren

While Minnesota biathlete Leif Nordgren is in China to compete in the Beijing Olympics, his wife, Caitlin, gave birth to the couple's first child in Vermont.

February 8, 2022 at 1:21PM
Astrid Lynae Nordgren was born Sunday night in Vermont. At right are Leif, who is from Marine on St. Croix, and Caitlin Nordgren. (Provided photos/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Astrid Lynae Nordgren's birth certificate will say she was born Feb. 6 at 7:55 p.m. Her dad, Leif Nordgren, will always remember getting the news at 8:55 a.m. on Feb. 7.

Leif, a biathlete from Minnesota who is competing at the Beijing Olympics, was 6,570 miles away when his wife, Caitlin Nordgren, gave birth to the couple's first child in Burlington, Vt. The 13-hour difference between Beijing time and U.S. Eastern Time made Astrid a morning arrival in Beijing and an evening baby in the U.S.

US Biathlon, which announced the birth, said Astrid and Caitlin are both "healthy and happy.'' The organization also provided a photo of Leif meeting his baby daughter for the first time via video call from Zhangjiakou, China, where Olympic athletes in biathlon, cross-country skiing and ski jumping are staying.

The new dad started his Olympic competition on Tuesday, finishing 87th among 92 racers in the 20-kilometer competition. He's scheduled to be in three more events in the coming days.

about the writer

about the writer

Rachel Blount

Reporter/Columnist

Rachel Blount is a sports reporter for the Star Tribune who covers a variety of topics, including the Olympics, Wild, college sports and horse racing. She has written extensively about Minnesota's Olympic athletes and has covered pro and college hockey since joining the staff in 1990. 

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