The Norwegian press is disappointed with the behavior of their skiers following the finish of the relay. And they completely lost Klebo.
Head coach of the Russian women’s biathlon team Mikhail Shashilov repeatedly urged journalists not to criticize the team with poor results, but to support.
And he constantly cited the Norwegian press as an example, where they always support their own even following the most disastrous races. Probably, for the mentor of our biathletes, what was going on in the Norwegian media following the Russian ski team destroyed Norway in the relay at the Beijing Olympics will be a revelation.
Support and understanding are out of the question!
“The behavior of Norwegian skiers is disappointing”
The popular Norwegian publication Dagbladet following the relay, where their compatriots took second place, burst into criticism for the behavior of skiers following the finish.
– When the medalists were asked to lift their skis over their heads and applaud, the Russians and the French happily agreed, while the Norwegians ignored the request. Their behavior is disappointing. Because of this, a lot of bizarre photos appeared, wrote Dagbladet.
The publication even cited the words of a commentator from the international Eurosport channel, who also did not like the way the Norwegian skiers behaved following the lost relay.
They didn’t bother to lift their skis at least once. This is disappointing. They were crushed today. They congratulated the Russians, but they know that they came here for gold – and that all the Norwegians who watched this race were also waiting for gold.
Even the French skier Maurice Manifica I didn’t really understand why the Norwegians so defiantly resisted, because the Olympic medal does not happen every day and you need to rejoice at any success. These shots were not shown live in Norway, because the biathlon broadcast had already begun. However, nothing escaped the gaze of Norwegian journalists.
“Klebo is missing”
Another interesting point was the behavior of the leader of the Norwegian national team Johannes Klebo. Dagbladet even wrote an interesting phrase that “Klebo is missing.” It was regarding the team photo from the awards, where Johannes was the only one who was absent. Later, he nevertheless explained his behavior, although it looked more like an “excuse”.
— I would have waited, but these processes were too long, so I went to change. I haven’t finished the Olympic Games yet and I’m not going to get sick, so I prioritize, ”Klebo Dagbladet quotes.
After the relay lost to Russia, not only Norwegian journalists, but also the athletes themselves were dissatisfied. So, Paul Golberg considered that too much undeserved criticism pours out on him and his colleagues.
Criticism is needed, but I noticed that a lot of Norwegian commentators and journalists write regarding how badly we behave. I don’t always think the picture drawn is correct.
“They give the impression of spoiled skiers”
In another major Norwegian publication, NRK was also extremely unhappy with the fact that they allowed themselves their skier following the relay. NRK journalists took a pretty hard look at their compatriots.
– Such behavior of athletes following silver is punishable. It damages reputation. This is just a demonstrative ignoring of emotions and requests. They give the impression of spoiled skiers.
Norwegian commentator Jan Petter Saltvedt, who had a famous conflict with the president of the Russian Ski Racing Federation Elena Vyalbe, this time went through his own. We must give him his due, he does not go into his pocket for a word and criticizes not only Russians.
“Look at the joy of the French over the bronze. Look at yesterday’s jubilation of German silver. This type of behavior only emphasizes the impression that Norwegian runners are spoiled by success and more than privileged. And makes even less credit for them when they succeed. This is not what we want,” Saltvedt quotes the NRK website.