– I think that it is wrong and that they are not keeping up with the times, says news’s biathlon expert Synnøve Solemdal. She reacts to the fact that the Swedish national biathlon team traveled from Östersund in Sweden to Brno in the Czech Republic by private plane before the WC. Earlier in the day, the plane had traveled from Malmö to Östersund to pick up the biathlon stars, according to flightradar24.com. The same evening it went home to the base in Malmö from the Czech Republic again. Calculations from the climate tool Green Producers Tool show that the private plane’s journeys released 57 tonnes of CO₂ that day. In comparison, the Norwegian national team has emitted 40.0 tonnes of CO₂ throughout the season leading up to the WC. So less than the Swedes’ private plane did on 4 February alone. With a scheduled flight, the Swedes would have hauled out around 11.5 tonnes on the journey to the WC city. That’s how Norway’s national team got to the Czech Republic. EXPERT: Synnøve Solemdal follows the World Championships in biathlon closely for news. – I think it is unnecessary to take private flights to the Czech Republic, and I would like to think that there are good connections between Stockholm and Prague. I think they can take a look at their emissions and think cost/benefit, says Solemdal. For the record: 25 news employees are flying between Oslo and Prague in connection with the WC. This amounts to emissions of around 12 tonnes of CO₂. Defends the use of private planes The Swedes can to some extent understand that someone reacts when they come whizzing by in a private plane. But at the same time, they are very grateful that the Swedish Biathlon Union foots the bill and ensures the most comfortable transport possible. – We have taken private planes in recent years and have been successful in the championship. It is something we want to continue with, says Martin Ponsiluoma. And gets support from teammate Sebastian Samuelsson. – We started doing it during the corona pandemic and realized how good it was. Follow the WC’s opening distance, mixed relay, with broadcast starting at 16.55 on NRK1 Wednesday. SWEDISH STAR: Sebastian Samuelsson is happy that they can travel by private plane. Photo: Anders Boine Verstad / news Sting against Sweden’s “extreme measures” The use of a private plane by the Swede stands in stark contrast to the attitudes the Norwegian national biathlon team has tried to front this season. Tarjei Bø and co. wants to make a positive contribution to the climate fight and limit its own climate footprint. That’s why they took a bus to the season’s first World Cup race in Östersund. They have done the same on several other occasions when they have to move from one European winter sports city to another. By making changes, the Ski Archery Association has saved 17.8 tonnes of CO₂ compared to the same time last season. NORWEGIAN STAR: Tarjei Bø comes to the WC full of self-confidence. Photo: NTB Throughout the season, from November to February, they have had a total of four flights – by scheduled aircraft. Bø believes that the Swedes’ use of private planes is a desperate attempt to even out the differences in the biathlon arena. – “Sebbe” is very concerned with doing things right, and criticizes in the east and west, so he has to answer that, grins Bø and continued: – Sweden is here to catch up with us and they have to take some extreme measures for to catch up with Norway. – We don’t take a private plane just to win against Norway, but it’s to beat all the other nations as well, counters Elvira Öberg before Wednesday’s mixed relay. SISTERS: Elvira (left) and Hanna Öberg on their way to a press conference before the WC’s opening distance. Photo: Anders Boine Verstad / news Doubts about Swedish advantage Sweden’s athletes base the use of private aircraft also with infection control. For them, it would be a crisis to get sick before the World Cup, and they think it justifies the use of more exclusive air transport. – It’s something we like because it’s easier to stay healthy. We avoid dealing with so many people and get an easier journey. I am very grateful to the association, says Elvira Öberg. But Solemdal does not buy the argument. – It just seems that they think it’s crazy. Now we are in a situation where we have to try to cut emissions, then we have to start with the low-hanging fruit, she believes. – If we think about optimization for performance, how much can they earn by taking a private plane? – You may be able to avoid some illness, but I think you can do that by wearing a mask, bringing your own packed lunch and taking care of your hand hygiene as well. I don’t think they get any advantage when it comes to competition, Solemdal asserts. – We are still environmental pigs Just on the bus trip from Oslo to Östersund early in the season, Norway saved the environment two tonnes of CO₂, according to calculations from the Ski Association. It is the same as a return flight to Miami for one person. – They will be responsible for that. We have made those cuts as best we can, says Karoline Knotten about the Swedes, but at the same time warns Norway against becoming too morally superior: – We are still environmental pigs, she says. Samuelsson hopes to create balance in his own climate accounting after another career. – It is not good for the environment, but there will be no trips to Thailand when I retire, he says. Elvira Öberg shares the same opinion. – It is clear that it is not the best thing to do. We had flights anyway and are a bigger squad, but it’s not entirely fair either, she says about the flight to the team for the WC. “Shocked” by the team-mate’s first news interview 01:09 Rough driving with a golf cart: – He’s a “crazy dude” 00:56 When Easter comes a little too early… 00:35 Gukild gets comfort from Dag Otto Lauritzen: – I filled even a hat to the brim 00:59 Show more
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Bø with Sweden sting after private aircraft use – the Swedes are reprimanded by news’s expert – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
