Marius Lindvik and Johann Andre Forfang have just returned to the ski jump after the “suit scandal”, and the next lock is already threatening.
Marius Lindvik and Johann Andre Forfang have just returned to the ski jump after the “suit scandal”, and the next lock is already threatening.
It has been certain since Monday: World champion Lindvik, teammate Forfang and three Norwegian officials are charged with violations of the FIS Ethics Code, everything points to a lock. Both Lindvik and Forfang had hoped for an acquittal. Both want to have known nothing about the manipulation of their suits from the coaching team at the home World Cup.
Evidence of participation in the jumper could not be found in the five -month, independent examination. “No circumstances were discovered that indicated that our clients had knowledge of circumstances that violate the regulations”According to a communication of the legal department of the Norwegian trade union association “LO” to the Norwegian Radio “NRK”.
According to “NRK”, the FIS still strives for a three -month lock for Lindvik and Forfang. According to “Lo”, the punishment is based on the accusation that both jumpers “should have known more”. After the video became known, the main debt was blown up to the coaching team around the later suspended Norwegian chief coach Magnus Brevig, the trio should probably be pulled out of circulation for 18 months.
Wellinger doubts innocence from the Norwegians
Numerous competitors expressed doubts about the official presentation. “As a ski jumper, you will immediately notice when your suit has been fiddled”said, for example, Andreas Wellinger, who had brought silver in Trondheim in the World Cup competition from the normal hill behind Lindvik and would go to gold with a subsequent disqualification of the Norwegian.
The claim that the manipulated suits were only used in the last World Cup competition looks strange. Until then, Lindvik and Co. had jumped an extremely strong World Cup, so there was no reason for spontaneous changes – especially not without consulting the athletes.
National coach Horngacher: “Greet current development”
Only immediately after the decision by the Großchanze on March 8 had Lindvik and Forfang been disqualified, the initially second -placed Lindvik was already on the way to the award ceremony. For the rest of the season, the entire World Cup team was closed as a precaution. Robin Pedersen and Robert Johansson, who had now resigned, were acquitted on Monday.
The uncertainty continues for the competition. “We welcome the current development and are now waiting for a final decision”said national coach Stefan Horngacher. Olympic champion Lindvik won the first jumping of the summer season in front of the German Philipp Raimund on Saturday.
Norway’s jumping chief: “Surprised that indictment was raised”
Norway’s association, however, reacts to the impending lock with disappointment. “It is good news that the investigation showed that Forfang and Lindvik did not know what happened to their diving suits”says Norway’s jumping chief Jan Erik Aalbu to “NRK”: “I am therefore very surprised that indictment was raised.”
After all: Lindvik and Forfang can continue to participate in competitions for the time being until the FIS ethics committee decides on the final sentence.