– I had to laugh for a few hours – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule

– I had to laugh for a few hours, Christiansen tells news after the relay. He had just come down from the second top step on the victory podium, when he opened up to news. The build-up to the race had been tough after he lost his grandmother two days before the relay. He himself avoided the penalty round, but lost a lot of time on the stand and exchanged with Tarjei Bø almost a minute behind the world champions, France. In the end, the Norwegian boys had to say they were satisfied with a silver. UPTURN: Silver medal in the relay was an upturn for Christiansen. Photo: Javad Parsa / NTB But all in all, it was an upturn for Christiansen, who has felt many emotions in recent days. – It is of course very sad when that happens, especially when you are away on a trip. Both me and mum are here, but at the same time you should be happy for the years you get. She lived to be 93 years old. Not everyone is as lucky and gets so many years, says Christiansen. – Must thank “mommo” He was close to his grandmother, especially growing up, when the grandparents put up a busy everyday life at Geilo. – I have to thank “mommo” and “moffa” who looked after me and Tiril when mum and dad worked their lives off at Sport1 in Geilo when we were young. There wouldn’t have been much for the Easter or Christmas holidays without them, recalls Christiansen. GRATEFUL: Christiansen is happy for the years he had with his grandmother. Photo: Javad Parsa / NTB As for most people, there is one memory in particular that has burned into their memory from childhood with their grandparents. – There was a pretty strict regime at home with bedtime and the like, so we were always very happy when we could be with “mommo” and “moffa” because then it was ice cream and “Hotel Cæsar”, it was like the best we could get then we were seven and nine, me and Tiril. It was great fun with Hotel Cæsar, he says with a smile on his face. – Somewhat meant that it would happen now. That’s why it weighed heavily on him when he received the news of his death in the days before the relay. – It is very, very heavy when someone close to you passes away. You get very sad every now and then. Even if you understand that it is the biggest part of life, says Christiansen. Despite the fact that the run-up to the relay was marked by sadness, Geilingen sees a small bright spot in the big picture. – I am very happy that I will be able to attend the funeral next week. One should not take it for granted as we are doing. The one week I’m home, there will be a funeral. It was perhaps somewhat intended that it should happen now, concludes Christiansen.



ttn-69