– I think it’s stupid that they don’t send anyone. I see no reason why they shouldn’t do it, says Anna Heggen to news. She herself won silver in the sprint at the Youth Olympics in Lausanne in 2020. – It was an experience for me and the main goal that year since we were too young to go to the Junior World Championships. I felt like an Olympic athlete. This was a taste of something big, she says. Nevertheless, the cross-country committee has decided that the Norwegian Skiing Association (NSF) will not send any participants to the Youth Olympics in Gangwon, South Korea, which begin on 19 January. Norway is sending 48 athletes to the championship, divided into nine sports. Cross-country skiing is therefore not among those sports, and the main reason for that is that the Ski Association believes it is a wrong step on the development ladder. They also point out that the cross-country selection for the Youth Olympics is already taken in November, so the selection had to be made on the basis of last year’s results. – We think it is a bit early to send athletes to such a big championship, which is one of the biggest things you can experience in a lifetime, says Brit Baldishol, head of development at the Norwegian Ski Association. Brit Baldishol is head of development at the Norwegian Ski Association. Photo: NTB – We have an idea that the first thing you have the opportunity to qualify for as a junior is the Nordic Junior Nationals, she continues. Fear of early pressure to perform Baldishol further says that the NSF fears the athletes will lose their “hunger” and that this will contribute to an increased pressure to perform at an early age. – You get early pressure to perform in order to get to the Youth Olympics. It is possible that they train too much or drop out because there is a greater push when it comes to developing early. – Do you have any documentation that this can actually happen? – We have a development ladder and have chosen to follow it in cross-country skiing. – Do you think that the athletes are not mature enough? – No, but why should they experience one of the greatest things that can be experienced as 18-year-olds, when they know they have a long career ahead of them? Baldishol continues. – Have you had any reactions? – Very little. I have not experienced that there has been so much criticism. I think ski-Norway agrees with the priority. – Totally disagree news’s cross-country expert Fredrik Aukland is, however, of the opinion that this could have a negative signaling effect. He believes Norway should send cross-country skiers to the championship. – Cross-country skiing is a national sport in Norway, but internationally we struggle with participation and interest. Then it is important that Norway takes responsibility, he points out. Fredrik Aukland, cross-country skiing expert at news. Photo: Julia Marie Naglestad / news He further believes that the Norwegian Ski Association has little basis for saying that the rest of skiing Norway agrees with this priority. – Those who have the opportunity would probably have been happy to represent Norway. There is something about learning from other sports and being part of a larger apparatus, he says. – We have a spring and an autumn meeting, where anyone can make their input, no one disagreed on the question of sending participants to the Youth Olympics, counters Baldishol. Aukland also does not buy the argument that the athletes will lose their “hunger” by participating. – I completely disagree with that. It is not dangerous to be good early on. It is not a prerequisite for becoming the best, but it is not an obstacle to a long sports career, he says and continues: – If we look at many of those who have been good, there are many who have participated in the WC, championships and a long career, so I believe there is no basis for saying that, says Aukland and singles out both Therese Johaug, Petter Northug and Thomas Alsgaard. Great talent believes it is the right decision Milla Grosberghaugen Andreassen made her debut in the World Cup during the trial WC in Granåsen. Last year she secured three gold medals at the Junior World Championships in Canada. The 18-year-old has never aimed to go to the Youth Olympics and therefore does not have strong opinions about whether Norway should participate there or not. But I don’t think it would affect the motivation of the athletes. Milla Grosberghaugen Andreassen secured three golds and a silver during the Junior WC in Canada last year. Photo: Terje Bendiksby / NTB – I think it’s just cool to experience at a young age. It can be an inspiration for further development and what you can experience in the later future. It will only be a great motivation for the future. – Do you think it is right that Norway does not send athletes to the Youth Olympics? – Since we have the Junior WC, I think it is right. So that it won’t be too much either. We also have Nordisk, which can be a foretaste of the junior WC, for example.
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The Skiing Association fears the athletes will lose their “hunger” – receives criticism about the Olympic decision – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
