– It came as a bit of a surprise to me, says Pål Golberg to news. He talks about what eventually became the solution to the lengthy discussions between Johannes Høsflot Klæbo and the cross-country management in the Ski Association after Klæbo turned down a place on the national team this season. Even with Klæbo going to the World Cup on what is called a standard representation agreement. Golberg believes that this goes against the Ski Association’s rules: “Runners who have declined an offer to participate in NSF’s national team shall not be selected by NSF to represent NSF in competitions in the season in which the offer of a place in the national team is due, unless there are special circumstances circumstances.” – Not agreed To news, the leader of the cross-country committee Torbjørn Skogstad has said the following about what the special circumstances are. STANDING OUTSIDE: Johannes Høsflot Klæbo. Photo: Lise Åserud / NTB “Johannes wanted to carry out a different meeting plan than the rest of the team, among other things related to height and therefore wanted to be together with the others at the meeting to a limited extent.” – I do not agree that it is a special exception, says Golberg straight to news. He also reacts to the fact that Kristine Stavå’s Skistad is outside the national team. She never said no to a place. Cross-country manager Espen Bjervig confirms that she was never considered for a place on the elite national team, as she wanted to train with her club, Konnerud. – Kristine should obviously have had our sponsors and be part of the system within the framework she wants, says Pål Golberg. – Could do the same on the national team The big difference between the national team skiers and the runners who are outside is that the national team skiers are subject to the Ski Association’s market regime. Runners outside the team are only obliged to present their sponsors to the association in connection with competition. Golberg fears that it will become less attractive to sponsor the national team when big stars are outside. Therefore, he believes that it should rather be arranged to adapt the training program within the team. STANDING OUTSIDE: Kristine Stavås Skistad. Photo: Geir Olsen / NTB – I am absolutely sure that Kristine could do what she has done in Konnerud on the national team, says Golberg, who was world champion in the five-mile last winter. He is supported by a guy who won three golds in the same championship. – I agree with much of what Pål says, says Simen Hegstad Krüger. Defends against professional ban He is a national team runner, but has had his own plan throughout the summer and autumn. Unlike the rest of the national team, but like Klæbo, Krüger has had a training stay at altitude. – The association is willing to go to great lengths with sporting schemes if you are in a team, he says. WILL CHANGE THE RULES: Torbjørn Skogstad. Photo: Geir Olsen / NTB Torbjørn Skogstad emphasizes that he respects Golberg’s opinions. He acknowledges that he thinks the regulations are demanding to enforce. – When an athlete for one reason or another wishes to be outside the team, the cross-country committee has two choices. Either give a refusal to start, in practice a professional ban, or you have to assess whether the exception given as a reason is good enough. That assessment is difficult to set aside, he says, and adds: – You never want to end up in a landscape where there are some occupational bans The cross-country skiing committee has therefore proposed that the Ski Association change the regulations. Instead of threatening runners who say no to the national team with refusal to start, Skogstad will have an intermediate solution between the national team agreement and the standard representation agreement. I want to talk to Klæbo – Then I think that an athlete who is so good that he is selected for the national team should not have the opportunity to benefit from a representation agreement in the same way as an athlete who takes part in some World Cup weekends. It must be manageable, says Skogstad, who points out that a committee will now look at the rule. In any case, he is happy that the conflict with Klæbo has been resolved for the coming season. There is also Pål Golberg, who announces that he wants to have a chat with his former teammate. – We had some rounds this spring where I tried to present my view to Johannes. I respect that he is still up with something else, but I will try through the winter and hope that he sees the value in the environment we represent, but also for everyone down in the system. – It means a lot to me, says Golberg.
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Meiner Klæbo and Skistad should be on the national team – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
