Medals, records and cheers in defiance: Norwegian athletics has been characterized by non-sporting noise and chaos behind the scenes for many months. This week it peaked with news’s revelations that the athletics association had to intervene after an episode between Henrik Ingebrigtsen and Narve Gilje Nordås in January, followed by Knut Jæger Hansen’s descriptions of bullying and harassment. At about the same time, it became clear that Gjert Ingebrigtsen will be denied coaching access to even more championships, and that the athletics president will change his explanation about the WC denial this summer. Now several Norwegian athletics stars believe that enough is enough. HAMMER CASTER: Eivind Henriksen. Photo: Beate Oma Dahle / NTB – What is happening now must be sorted out, because it is devastating for athletics in Norway, says Eivind Henriksen. The 33-year-old hammer thrower, with medals from both the Olympics, the World Cup and the European Championship, does not wish to say anything about the actual handling of the ongoing conflicts. – I do not wish to comment on how the case has been handled. That’s actually the only comment I have. Beyond that, I don’t really have anything more to say. – Put Norwegian athletics in a bad light Pole vaulter Sondre Guttormsen is also not impressed by all the noise that now characterizes the columns. – This puts Norwegian athletics in a bad light, he believes. Guttormsen is disappointed that the conflicts were not resolved a long time ago. – I think this should have been sorted out a long time before it ended up in the media, and that such noise should in any case not be included in the championship. POLE JUMPERS: Sondre Guttormsen. Photo: Beate Oma Dahle / NTB The WC this summer was of the chaotic kind, where the federation refused Gjert Ingebrigtsen accreditation, and the ice confrontation between his student Narve Gilje Nordås and Jakob Ingebrigtsen stole several headlines. – I don’t think private matters should influence who will participate in the championship, says Guttormsen, who nevertheless emphasizes that he is able to shut it all out. – This affects me a little less than nothing. The conflict between Israel and Palestine affects me much more, sums up the pole vaulter. – Very unfortunate – I completely agree. This is very unfortunate, replies Kjetil Hildeskor. He is general secretary of the Norwegian Athletics Association, and he understands very well that the athletes have grown tired of all the non-sporting management. – This kind of noise should not be included in the championship, and that is what we are working for, he assures. Hildeskor points out that the situation has also been demanding for the Ingebrigtsen brothers to stand in. – Especially for Jakob, who has been exposed to a lot of sporting pressure. It is a difficult situation for the family, he says, and adds that the association has also been busy optimizing for Narve Gilje Nordås. GENERAL SECRETARY: Kjetil Hildeskor. Photo: Lise Åserud / NTB – This is a difficult matter for us. We have discussed carefully, and we are united on the conclusion. We did the best we could, and it was as good as it could be. – Do you think it went as well as it could during the WC this summer? – It is clear that a championship with so much noise, we must avoid that in the future. But sportingly it was absolutely brilliant. Vegard Dahl Hansen, Coop’s sponsorship manager, has also noticed that there has been a close relationship between the negative cases lately. – For Coop and everyone else who is happy with Norwegian athletics, the most important thing is that the achievements and the joy of sports should be at the centre. It hasn’t been like this lately, despite fantastic sporting achievements, he acknowledges. Dahl Hansen nevertheless clarifies that he has confidence that the athletics association will handle the situation in such a way that it gives the athletes and the support apparatus predictability and calm ahead of next year’s important championships.
ttn-69
– Devastating for athletics in Norway – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
