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Great concern about the coronavirus in the Swedish cross country team. Now they are taking action before the opening of the World Cup.
BEITOSTØLEN (Nettavisen): The Swedish national cross country team already has an infected athlete in Charlotte Kalla and they are concerned that more people will be infected when the season begins in full.
That is why the Swedes are taking action.
Sweden has decided to send an amputee team to the opening of the World Cup in Ruka, Finland.
– We dare not send a full squad. Now, instead, it will be with about twelve riders instead of 20, Swedish cross-country director Daniel Fåhraeus tells Expressen.
Fåhraeus also confirms that they have considered not posing at all, but that they appear to be traveling to Ruka at the moment.
Read also: He is the new director of the Swedish national team in cross-country skiing
Norway does not do the same
The coronavirus, of course, is also a topic that is much discussed in the Norwegian countryside, but Norway will not do the same as the Swedes.
This is confirmed by cross-country coach Espen Bjervig to Nettavisen.
– We have a close dialogue with the Swedish and Finnish teams about the situation, but we travel with a full team to Ruka because we have charter flights. You are not in control, but since you travel by charter plane, and the journey is mostly the most critical, we do it that way, says Bjervig.
Also read: FIS requirements cost the jersey. The national team expects a bill of one million
He is prepared to take new assessments from time to time this winter.
– We must consider race after race on what is the right thing to do. These are uncertain times, says the Norwegian cross-country manager.
Bjervig believes that the fact that Swedes choose to travel with a limited troop only shows that they all feel unsafe during the pandemic.
Also read: Johaug has no doubts after seeing Bjørgen in training
Feel responsible
As the leader of the Norwegian team, he himself feels very responsible at this demanding time.
– Of course I feel the responsibility. We are 42 people who are on tour. They have families and everything, so you clearly feel the responsibility, explains Bjervig.
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The cross country coach has a close dialogue with national team doctor Øystein Andersen about the crown situation.
– But in the end I am the one who takes responsibility for what we do, says Bjervig.
– There are not many doctors who recommend you travel the world now. It will be a compromise solution in terms of cost-benefit, like the rest of society, explains the cross-country manager.
Now he is constantly working to find the good enough solutions for the Norwegian team so that they can continue to compete in the World Cup this winter.
Weng worried
So far, Norwegian cross-country skiers intend to participate in this winter’s World Cup despite the contagious situation.
However, Therese Johaug is clear that her health comes first and that she does not want late injuries because she insisted on running where she was advised not to.
– I think the most important thing is health. He would never put the world in a situation where something would happen in hindsight because he would threaten to go cross-country skiing, Johaug tells Nettavisen.
Heidi Weng has previously told Nettavisen that she is concerned about the virus.
On the big media day of the national cross-country skiing team in Beitostølen, Weng appeared wearing a face mask, goggles and gloves to protect himself.
Next weekend, the journey continues to Finnish Ruka for the opening of the World Cup. Weng is very clear when speaking to Nettavisen.
– I’m not excited.
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