Aida Husic Dahlen

Started: She learnt to play by practising at a table tennis hall near Kristiansand, Norway. (nrk.no, 22 Nov 2011) Reason: "It was actually a family friend who told me about table tennis. I had played both handball and football, but quit both. I wanted something else to do, and when he proposed table tennis, I tried it out and it was perfect for me." (nrk.no, 22 Nov 2011) Ambition: To compete at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (Instagram profile, 20 May 2024) Awards: She was named Para Athlete of the Year for 2021 and 2022 at the Sports Gala South in Norway. (Facebook profile, 20 Dec 2022; ittf.com, 29 Apr 2022; fvn.no, 07 Nov 2021) Additional Info: FROM BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA TO NORWAY Born in Bosnia and Herzegovina, between ages three and seven she lived in a rehabilitation centre in Montenegro. In 1995 Norwegian couple Lars and Anne Tove Dahlen were hired as project coordinators at the rehabilitation centre, and in 1997 they decided to adopt Aida before taking her to Norway. "I have unconsciously forgotten the memories from that time [in Montenegro]. But dad [Lars] has told me about the unique bond we shared, even though we didn't speak the same language. He said that I would come running down to his office and sit on his lap. Every time he came to the centre, all the other children shouted for me. They knew he was mine in a way. I stood there on the stairs and waited for him. Then my new life began. I learned Norwegian very quickly and refused to speak Montenegrin. I wanted to start over and was determined to become Norwegian." (klikk.no, 04 Jan 2023; nrk.no, 21 Nov 2011) OTHER ACTIVITIES She has served as a Para sports advisor at the Vestland Sports Federation in Norway. (idrettsforbundet.no, 26 Oct 2023; Paraidrett Norge Facebook page, 19 Oct 2023)