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It is already clear that Norway, like Sweden and Finland, have chosen to abandon the two remaining World Cup competitions in Dresden and Davos before Christmas due to the current contagion situation.
Now Norway’s national cross-country ski team will also withdraw from this year’s Ski Tour.
– The risk of exposing a staff to covid-19 weighs more in the decision to abandon the Tour de Ski. Traveling in Europe during a pandemic carries an unacceptably high risk of infection. The main objective of the national cross-country ski team this season is the World Cup in Oberstdorf, says Öystein Andersen, medical director of the Norwegian national team, in a press release.
Notice during the additional meeting
The head of the Swedish national team, Anders Byström, was present at Tuesday’s extraordinary crisis meeting with members of the longitude and world cup committee when Norway announced its decision.
– The message arrived at the end of the meeting. And he heard from the other nations that they didn’t receive it so positively, Byström says.
Norway was looking for a solution in which the entire Ski Tour, which is decided after Christmas, is organized in one place, to avoid travel. But on Monday, the International Ski Federation, Fis, chose the tour to go as planned with eight competitions in eleven days at three different locations: Val Müstair in Switzerland and Toblach and Val di Fiemme in Italy.
– The health of the athletes and staff of the national team is our highest priority, says length director Espen Bjervig in the press release.
“Make decisions as late as possible”
The Swedish cross country team has yet to make a decision about their participation in this year’s tour. Per “Pliggen” Andersson, who is the medical officer for the Swedish national team, has said that a “significant reduction in the spread of covid-19” is required for Swedish skiers to get started.
National team coach Anders Byström tells SportExpressen that the national team will go if conditions are right.
– We remain in our thoughts to find solutions to be able to go. But we want to follow development and make decisions as late as possible, says Byström.
How long can you wait to make a final decision?
– We have not set an exact deadline. But we understand that we cannot wait any longer.
Will there be a decision this week?
– No I dont think so.
