– I think that is very unfortunate. It is tempting to say disrespectful. After Tiril Eckhoff and Marte Olsbu Røiseland gave up, we were in a situation where we talked about how we were going to get new peaks among the ladies. The national team has been very successful in that this year, and they have performed far better than many expected, says biathlon coach Kjartan Helland, and continues: – When that happens, it is important that they recognize the athletes who are behind, and that as many as possible gets to match up against the best when the chance is there. COACH: Kjartan Helland. Photo: Team Fosen Yard For the World Cup race in Ruhpolding this week, the national team management has decided to select five out of six possible athletes on the women’s side. Several women would have liked to have had the last place, but have been given up too easily. – Norway rents the national cup, but does not field six runners at the start. It’s a scandal, says news’s biathlon expert Ola Lunde. Follow the World Cup from Ruhpolding on news. On Wednesday there is a relay for women at 14.20. “Why should I bet biathlon?” Helland is a coach in the private team Team Fosen Yard. There, among other things, he has responsibility for Marit Ishol Skogan, who is currently part of the national team, and Karoline Erdal, who recently ran the World Cup race for Norway in Oberhof, but was not selected this time. The coach emphasizes that he is not speaking on behalf of his own athletes, but on behalf of all ambitious biathlon girls who give everything every day to one day get the chance at the highest level. Helland is afraid of the signal effect the national team management sends by not filling the quota. – I think it is unwise. We want as many as possible to stay as long as possible, so that they can develop at their own pace and become as good as possible. If we lose girls between the ages of 26 and 28, we run the risk of having a weaker field for the Olympics in two years’ time. Therefore, every single opportunity to try yourself at the highest level and gain experience is worth its weight in gold. Literally speaking. HOPEFUL: Karoline Erdal did not get another chance in Ruhpolding after going in Oberhof last week. Photo: NTB – How do the athletes take this? – I haven’t spoken to that many people about it, because most athletes need to be most concerned with how they can develop and get better. But I myself have been active and when they see that there is a place available, it is natural to think “why am I not there?”. Or at the very least: “He or she could have gone there”, admits Helland and adds: – The withdrawals so far this season have been fair and good, and there has been little to question. When there is a round where there is a bit of noise, it becomes a bit strange for me. He is again supported by news expert Lunde. – “Why should I invest in biathlon?”, they have to think, when the quota is not filled. It is important that more runners get the chance to try themselves in the World Cup, not least in view of the motivation for further investment, he believes. – Will always be disagreeable The national team management explains that selection for the World Cup is based on results. Erdal, in the management’s view, did not perform well enough in Oberhof to be able to hold on in Ruhpolding the following week. The same applies to the runners in the IBU Cup, the level below the World Cup. Last weekend, none of the Norwegian women were on the podium there, and did not perform well enough to convince the national team coaches. – There will always be disagreements about withdrawals, both from the support apparatus and the athletes. The athletes naturally have ambitions and want to perform at the highest possible level. But we have made the assessment we have made, says national team manager Per Arne Botnan. NATIONAL TEAM MANAGER: Per Arne Botnan. Photo: Frode Fjerdingstad Marthe Krogstad Johansen was originally supposed to go in Ruhpolding, but was sent home after Oberhof to train and get in better shape for the upcoming race. – We always want to fill the quota, but we have selection criteria for both the World Cup and the IBU Cup. Here we have only selected five, it has something to do with the fact that Marthe was sent home to train better. Then we want to see the worst from the World Cup (Erdal) against the best from the IBU Cup. Now they can compete together, emphasizes Botnan. The coach of the women’s national team, Sverre Hüber Kaas, understands the disappointment of the athletes. – We understand that they are very disappointed that we are not filling up the quota, but at the same time they are aware that what they performed last weekend may not have been quite good enough, says the coach. The athletes support the management Athletes such as Erdal and Emilie Kalkenberg have previously been in the elite national team, but did not get a new opportunity this week. Nor have Ida Lien and Ragnhild Femsteinevik, who are both part of the national team, been selected for the World Cup races in Ruhpolding. Instead, they will compete against each other in the IBU Cup and try to convince the management that it is I who deserves to be on the elite team next time. INSIDE: Karoline Knotten has impressed the national team this season. Photo: Reuters The athletes who are actually on the elite national team believe that the management has made a good assessment regarding the withdrawal to Ruhpolding. – Of course, one would wish we were full, but that’s how it is right now. I think it is a good principle that a set requirement. I think it will raise the level and be a motivational trigger for those concerned, says Karoline Knotten. – It’s a bit of a shame that there aren’t six of us here, but it wasn’t all that big in Oberhof. Then it is fair that they compete for the last place until Anterselva, adds Juni Arnekleiv. Struggling with the champagne bottles 00:44 Hovland is surprised here 01:00 Forgets what he is going to say 00:45 Warholm has his own ability to calm the nerves 01:41 Show more
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news’s expert and biathlon coach reacts to the women’s ban in the Biathlon World Cup – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcast schedule
