After a wild bet made when she was 17, Olympic golfer Madelene Stavnar's father Thor found himself in a tattoo parlor fulfilling his end of a notarized contract. The agreement was simple: if Madelene ever made it to the Olympics representing Norway, Thor would get the Olympic rings tattooed on his body.

For years, this seemed like a safe bet. Madelene struggled early in her professional career, missing every cut in 2018 and dropping to 888th in the world rankings. But her persistence and growth eventually paid off. After steadily improving her game and mental approach, she qualified for the 2024 Olympics in Paris as the 59th player in a field of 60.

True to his word, Thor visited Retrospect Tattoo and Piercing Studio in Tønsberg, Norway, where he got the Olympic rings tattooed on his right forearm. The family affair included Madelene's mother Anne, her caddie, and her niece who showed support with a matching temporary tattoo.


Now in Paris, Thor and Anne are enjoying the Olympic experience while sporting his new ink. Meanwhile, Madelene has another motivating bet in place - if she medals at the Olympics, her fiancé Jonathan has promised to get her a dog.

The story showcases how a playful father-daughter wager, backed by unwavering support and determination, helped transform a struggling young golfer into an Olympian representing her country on the world's biggest stage.

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