– Everything is open, says Pettersson to news about Braathen’s situation. On Tuesday, several media learned that Lucas Braathen will compete for Brazil. The 23-year-old has called in a press conference in Salzburg on Thursday. On Wednesday, Brazil’s ski president, Anders Pettersson, will travel from Stockholm to Salzburg. The Swede tells news that it will be an important day. – Why? – I can’t comment on that quite yet. But Pettersson says that he expects news about Braathen’s situation during the day. – We would like Lucas to become an athlete for Brazil. But nothing is underlined. Nothing has been decided, says Pettersson. – Discussions are still ongoing, he adds. – What remains? – You have been summoned to a press conference on Thursday?, says Pettersson evasively. Short word around a central question One of the questions is whether Norway will let Braathen go to Brazil without further ado. Braathen has a Brazilian mother and therefore dual citizenship. But he does not have a double license. He must transfer the athlete’s license from the Norwegian Skiing Association to the Brazilian Skiing Association. If the Norwegian Skiing Association does not allow Braathen to transfer this licence, he must have a new one. Then he will lose the high ranking he has built up as an athlete through good results for Norway. One consequence is, for example, that he is not allowed to start early in slalom races. The best always have the advantage of starting first on a less busy course. According to VG, there has been dialogue about Braathen’s ski licence. Pettersson is evasive when news asks about the licence. – Is the license in order? – You can ask the Norwegian Skiing Association about that. Since then he has competed for the Norwegian Skiing Association. He has never competed for Brazil, but we will be very proud if he decides to compete for Brazil. – The Norwegian Skiing Association has several details, says Pettersson. He states that the dialogue has mostly taken place between Team Braathen and the Norwegian Ski Association, but that the Brazilian association has also been involved. When asked whether Braathen will have his license transferred, the Norwegian Skiing Association’s information manager, Espen Graff, replies that the skiing association will not comment on the matter until Braathen has held a press conference. Brazil leaders to Braathen’s press conference At that press conference, Brazil’s top leaders will be present. Both president Pettersson and managing director Pedro Cavazzoni. – What function will the Brazilian Ski Federation have there? – We will listen to what he wants to say. We don’t know exactly what he wants to say, says Pettersson. – So they show up because they are curious about what he is going to say? – Correct. – So it is possible that they will get some news every now and then? – Well… It’s too early to say. CHANGING COUNTRY TEAMS: According to what news learns, Lucas Braathen will now drive for Brazil. Here he is on the Norwegian national team. Photo: NTB Traces Braathen effect in Brazil Petersson is in any case clear on what Braathen’s potential move to Brazil could mean for Brazilian skiing. – Interest will increase enormously, says Petersson. Alpine skiing is not usually shown on TV, but in the Olympics and the World Cup, Brazilian performances can get attention in their home country, says the skiing president. Regardless of his interest in Brazil, he is happy to be able to contribute to one of the alpine circus’ biggest stars making a comeback. – We want him to develop as a person and as an athlete, Peterson says of Lucas Braathen. STAR: Lucas Braathen is also noticed outside the alpine circus. Here he is on P3 Gold. Photo: NTB
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– Nothing has been decided – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
