In Holmenkollen, there is a fear of the activities of activists.
The Cross Country World Cup continues next weekend in Holmenkollen, Norway.
The competition organizers are practically in “alert mode”. Event Manager Stefan Marx is worried about the possible exploits of activists.
– We have athletes who have been preparing their whole lives for these games. Their fitness is at its peak and this may be their only chance to succeed at Holmenkollen. It would be foolish for someone to spoil it for them, Marx said for the Norwegian Dagbladet.
The race organizers are on their toes. Climate activists have attacked various sporting events recently. For example, last weekend, a dangerous situation was seen in Vasalopetti, when environmental activists ran onto the track in the middle of the race.
The situation could have turned out badly.
– Freedom of speech is important. Climate issues are important to us, but when it affects life and health, we draw the line. I don’t understand them at all. They have to find another place to express themselves, Marx said.
– We support freedom of speech. It’s a different matter if they try to destroy and disrupt the event, he added.
According to Dagbladet, 7,000 tickets have already been sold for the competition event in Holmenkollen. The goal is that this year more spectators would attend the games than last year, when there were 21,000.
In Holmenkollen, the women’s and men’s 50 km cross-country races are contested, among other things. The competition event has become known for its cheerfulness. From time to time, the going has become rowdy.
According to Dagbladet, protests have already been seen in Holmenkollen. The Palestinian Committee demands that the Norwegian Ski Federation end its cooperation with the arms manufacturer Nammo. The committee claims that Nammo manufactures weapons that have been used by Israeli forces.
Holmenkollen has been a rowdy sporting event at times. PDO