[ad_1]
On Tuesday, the Norwegian Ski Federation will meet with the International Ski Federation (FIS) on the World Cup weekend in Lillehammer. It’s just a problem.
At 2 pm, the Norwegian Ski Federation must give an answer to the FIS if a World Cup race is organized in Lillehammer from December 4-6.
However, the growing number of corona infections in Norway creates uncertainty.
Norwegian Ski Association event manager Terje Lund tells Nettavisen that they now rely on the protocol for the implementation of the races to be approved in order to organize the World Cup competitions as planned.
The protocol, which involves a comprehensive testing regimen, was sent to the National Institute of Public Health (NIPH) a week and a half ago, but the Norwegian Ski Association has so far received no comment.
Lund is clear that the Ski Federation has a great understanding that they have to be patient and that FHI has a lot to do these days.
– We have great respect for the fact that there is extreme pressure on FHI at the moment and therefore it takes some time to get feedback on our protocol, Lund tells Nettavisen.
Also read: Johaug has no doubts after seeing Bjørgen in training
AWAITING ANSWER: Terje Lund, Norwegian Ski Association event manager.
Photo: Ørn E. Borgen (NTB)
Ask for postponement
But without FHI approval, the Norwegian Ski Federation cannot confirm to the FIS that the World Cup in Lillehammer is going as planned, and now the deadline really expires.
– The FIS sets the deadline to confirm a World Cup event in 30 days, says Lund.
Also read: The coach of the national team concerned about the coronavirus
However, the event director will ask FIS for a postponement when he meets with them at 2pm.
– If it now turns out that we cannot finally confirm today, it will be natural for us to ask FIS for a small postponement, says Lund.
He will not set a definitive deadline, but he hopes that everything clears up during the week.
Also read: This is how Northug reacted to Iversen’s moving tears
VARIOUS RACES: Basically sprint, skiathlon and relays will be organized in Lillehammer in December.
Photo: Stian Lysberg Solum (NTB)
The World Cup starts in Ruka
The Cross Country Ski World Cup kicks off in Ruka, Finland on November 27. So far, the sewers in Finland seem to be going according to plan.
The Finnish organizer has received approval from the local authorities to organize, but they must follow a strict testing regime.
This means, among other things, that doctors and support staff must be tested for coronavirus twice during their stay.
Also read: Uhrenholdt Jacobsen shares his concern about cross-country skiing
Lund thinks it is positive for Lillehammer in terms of possible infection that the athletes have been to Ruka first.
– It is a very homogeneous group that has lived in a very protected environment before arriving in Lillehammer, says Lund.
It remains to be seen whether this will be taken into account when the Norwegian health authorities assess whether or not a World Cup can be organized in Lillehammer.
So far the World Cup in Lillehammer has not received the green light.
WAITING WITH EMOTION: The director of the national team Espen Bjervig.
Photo: Geir Olsen (NTB)
– We have to deal with it
The director of the national team, Espen Bjervig, does not hide the fact that the uncertainty associated with the next season is demanding.
– With much uncertainty, there will be wear. You get tired of things changing, but it is the same for all societies and all nations. We just have to deal with it, Bjervig tells Nettavisen.
Now he and the rest of the cross country elite are waiting for the green light to compete.
– We can only hope that the situation in Europe stabilizes and that we can organize some good World Cup races, says Bjervig.
The online newspaper contacted FHI on Monday, which will not comment on the case.
[ad_2]
