Örn Arnarson is a backstroke

Backstroke

The backstroke, also sometimes called the back crawl, is one of the four swimming styles regulated by FINA, and the only regulated style swum on the back. This has the advantage of easy breathing, but the disadvantage of swimmers not being able to see where they are going. It is also the only...

 swimmer from Iceland

Iceland

Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...

, who won his first major title in 1998 at the European SC Championships

European SC Championships 1998

The second edition of the European Short Course Swimming Championships was held in Ponds Forge International Sports Centre in Sheffield, England, from 11 to 13 December 1998...

 in Sheffield

Sheffield

Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...

. There he captured the title in the 200 m backstroke.

A year later, at the European SC Championships 1999

European SC Championships 1999

The third edition of the European Short Course Championships was held in Complexo Desportivo do Jamor in Lisboa, Portugal, from 9 to 11 December 1999.-Medal table:-Men's events:-Women's events:-References:*...

 in Lisbon, Portugal, Örn won the 100 m and the 200 m backstroke events. He competed in three consecutive Summer Olympics for his native country, starting in 2000

Swimming at the 2000 Summer Olympics

At the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia, 32 swimming events were contested, between September 15–23, 2000. There was a total of 954 participants from 150 countries competing.-Medal table:-Men:...

.

At present (2009) Örn Arnarson swims at Aalborg Svømmeklub Elitehold in Denmark.