2023-04-24 11:59:00
For the time being no longer starts for the Norwegian national cross-country team: Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo Bild: dpa
Johannes Klaebo is taking the consequences of a cut in the Norwegian cross-country skiing budget and will no longer compete for the national team next season. The association would have preferred a different solution.
Five-time Olympic cross-country skiing champion Johannes Klaebo is no longer a member of the Norwegian national team. In a press release, the 26-year-old justified his departure with the events of the past few weeks surrounding the Norwegian Ski Association and the national team. The budget for the cross-country skiing section was also cut due to the departure of a long-standing major sponsor, which means that only 20 instead of 24 runners are part of the selection.
“With my resignation, the ski association can reduce its costs and spend money on other athletes instead. Yes, now they no longer have to pay for my high camps either,” Klaebo was quoted as saying in the press release: “I have several colleagues in the national team who feel badly treated in this withdrawal process.”
Withdrawing from the selection does not mean the end of his cross-country skiing career. “There were never any negotiations between the association and me on this matter,” said Klaebo: “The decision means I lose income and have to cover my costs. Now I will finance it myself.”
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The Norwegian association wants to respect Klaebo’s decision, even if they had hoped for a different solution there. The association is now discussing whether an existing rule should be lifted. According to this, only athletes who are members of the national team are allowed to participate in World Cups and international title fights. There are no major events in cross-country skiing this coming winter.
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