– We think it is quite absurd that you actually have to look like this or have a beard to be allowed to compete in the Olympics. We hope to do something about it, says Norway’s combined star Gyda Westvold Hansen to news. Earlier in the week, the combined national team announced that they were going to mark Beitostølen and starting with a “beard” is part of this. Several high-profile cross-country women made it clear what they thought of the International Olympic Committee’s decision that states that combined women are not allowed to compete in the Olympics. – I think it is good that they stand up for themselves and fight their case to get in there. They get up every day and do a job to become good athletes and they deserve to participate in the Olympics just like the boys, says Anne Kjersti Kalvå, after winning the women’s 10 kilometer classic at Beitostølen. WINNER: Anne Kjersti Kalvå. Photo: Fredrik Tombra / news – It’s just nonsense – I think it’s wrong. Of course they should be allowed to go. It’s just nonsense that the girls shouldn’t be allowed to go. That’s what I think about it, says Ingvild Flugstad Østberg after she entered 3rd place in the return to competition. Westvold Hansen thinks it is sad that the combined women’s is the only Olympic discipline that does not represent both sexes. – We hope to lift this team forward and get as many people as possible to participate in the commemoration in order to create the greatest possible force so that we can eventually influence the IOC, she says. Heidi Weng highlighted equality as the most important reason why women should be allowed to go, while Helene Marie Fossesholm was even clearer: – It’s just nonsense. Photo: Fredrik Tombra / news Reacting to exceptions Gyda Westvold Hansen and bronze winner from the Oberstdorf WC in 2021, Marte Leinan Lund, are among those who will start with a signed beard. Combined is the only one of 16 disciplines that is only allowed to send a male delegation to the Olympics. – It is a sign that we disagree with the IOC decision that came in June, and want to focus on the fact that we want the girls in the Olympics, says combined manager Ivar Stuan – and continues: – There are actually two signs: one is that we will have a crossing of poles in connection with the start and finish, and then some of the girls have had their faces painted. – What is the symbolism? – The pole crossing is about “no eXception”. 15 out of 16 sports in the Winter Olympics have women and men. We think it is bad that combined is the exception. COMBINED MANAGER: Ivar Stuan. Photo: Geir Olsen / NTB He says the official explanation is that the quota for the number of participants in the Olympics has been set. For some to go in, others have to go out. He admits that the level was not necessarily high enough for the Olympics in 2018, but thinks it is incomprehensible that it is not part of the championship in 2026. Westvold Hansen says that the case means “extremely much” to her personally. – This is important for recruitment and that girls want to continue with the sport, which is so much fun. It is extremely important for the sport, she concludes.
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