– The belief that we can do it – VG

– If we didn’t get to this, we probably wouldn’t have been successful. To be honest, Bislett’s boss Steinar Hoen answers questions about how worried he is about the future.

On Thursday of last week came the news that this year’s event will be held without spectators on June 11. Bislett Games is renamed “Impossible Games”, and Norway’s greatest athletes will compete with strict restrictions.

It was after soccer training with his son that Bislett’s boss started toying with the idea that the rally could take place despite the outbreak of the corona virus. He started work on April 1, the same day that the Norwegian Sports Federation announced that they were asking for organized sports in limited ways, but with a distance of two meters and groups of maximum five.

– We must remember that there was a regulation that regulates cultural and sports events such as not Meets infection control standards are prohibited until June 15. What many people have forgotten is the word “no”. We started working with superior infection control in Oslo, and every idea that came up had quality ensured by it.

And the fact that Bislett Games with Hoen in the lead came up with a doable event probably saves the future of the event.

– I really think we can do it, says Hoen.

How Bislett Games was saved

– As it stands now, we have accomplished something that was truly unimaginable. We have managed to secure some of the income of our national partners. The main part of sponsorship deals, after all, is the logo display on television. We can now deliver what is set out in the cooperation agreement, says Bislett’s manager.

Still, Bislett Games loses millions. They have lost their international television contract. The convention was previously broadcast on television in 166 countries. This year, it will air on NRK and possibly SVT, according to Hoen. At the same time, they have lost all public revenue.

– But we could save the sponsorship part. It wasn’t that much money, but it was important money, says Hoen.

In addition to saving the sponsorship part, Bislett Games has lost huge costs.

– During the Diamond League, we won a prize of $ 400,000 ($ 4.2 million at the current rate). We had 240 that we paid for flights, food and hotels. We also had seed money for the best athletes. It’s all gone

Still uncertain future

– If you ask how much we lose with this, there are large sums. There are many, many, many millions. But we also have many, many, many millions less in costs. Therefore, we are close to something that allows us to survive, says the Bislett boss.

Bislett Games had already sold 7,000 tickets. Everyone has a chance to get a refund, but Hoen says even those who bought a ticket can choose to join the “day trip.”

– Then we are even closer to the goal. If we can create a day where all the parties participate, the athletes free, the prize money comes from the International Athletics Association and perhaps part of the audience that has already bought a ticket is supporting us, we are approaching a situation in which we can survive. Hoen says.