– The International Ski Federation (FIS) has failed, says Trond Nystad. He has both been our national team coach in cross-country skiing and coach in biathlon, and knows both sports well internationally. For several years, biathlon has had more nations start than in cross-country skiing. Also this weekend, the starting lists were thinner in cross-country skiing. It is noticed in the biathlon community. OLYMPIC WINNER: Denise Herrmann-Wick. Photo: Frank Augstein / AP – I was surprised at how few people started when I saw the women’s season opener in Kuusamo last weekend, says biathlete Denise Herrmann-Wick, who has been cross-country skiing for many years. – What would you have thought if you were a cross-country runner? – I wanted to switch to biathlon, says Sturla Holm Lægreid. Million support The reason why biathlon crushes cross-country skiing in terms of participation is simple, say the experts. And we find the answer, among other things, in a gymnasium in Austria. There, the International Biathlon Union distributes skis, training clothes, ammunition and other equipment worth NOK seven million. FIS does not have such a system, says Trond Nystad. – FIS has not done anything for nations with smaller resources, he says to news. Over 30 nations turned up when news took part in the annual distribution of equipment in Hochfilzen. – This means that we can invest in the senior team and develop junior runners at the same time. The effect is great, says Bulgaria’s sports director Ventzeslav Iliev as he stacks roller skis into the van. Dagmara Gerasimuk, equipment manager in the IBU, and Bulgaria’s sports director Ventzeslav Iliev at the “poor house” in Hochfilzen. Viktor Krings, general secretary Belgium, was one of several who turned up during news’s visit to the equipment warehouse in Hochfilzen. Here, the smaller nations can supply themselves with equipment. Here the smaller nations can supply themselves with equipment. In total, the International Biathlon Union spends NOK 30 million a year on equipment and training courses for nations that need support. The association believes that this leads to fuller start lists than in cross-country skiing. – Many small nations have to make tough priorities with small budgets. I am absolutely sure that we will help them get to the starting line, says Dagmara Gerasimuk, who is responsible for equipment in the IBU. – It is weak Nystad is critical that FIS does not copy the system to prevent increasingly thin start lists. – It is weak. When FIS sees that it works, they should do the same themselves. It is much easier for small nations to choose biathlon than cross-country skiing, because they get equipment and support, says Nystad. Michal Lamplot, who is race director at FIS, believes that FIS and IBU have the same goals, but that they have chosen different paths to get there. RACE DIRECTOR: Michal Lamplot. Photo: JOHANNA WALLEN / BILDBYRÅN – When someone says that FIS has failed, then perhaps, but it also implies that the national confederations have failed to do something. What should I say about the criticism? We are different. Our goal is for cross-country skiing to flourish, and for us to bring the smaller nations along. We have chosen different ways to achieve that, says Lamplot, and adds: – It is easy to say that we should spend seven million kroner, as the IBU does, but it is not that simple. We support the national confederations in a different way. – We should not take the participation for granted Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen believes it is dangerous for winter sports not to support small nations as they do in biathlon. – We shall not take the participation or expansion in our sport for granted. Especially not in view of climate change and the fact that many nations no longer have such white winters, says Christiansen. Photo: Geir Olsen / NTB Sturla Holm Lægreid says that the biathlon association has now also called on athletes to give up their equipment. This year he has given several ski boots to Ukraine. – It would be extra nice if the young athletes who receive that equipment win an Olympic medal in a few years, says the biathlete. Nystad misses that FIS also thinks long-term. – Helping nations to establish cultures takes time. It takes eight to ten years to bear fruit from a proper investment, says Nystad.
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FIS gets slaughtered for thin start lists – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcast schedule
