Curious scene at U23 World Cup
“Sexual jubilation”? Punishment for young world champions
Updated on 13.02.2025 – 07:45 a.m.Reading time: 2 min.
Mathias Holbæk celebrates his finish in a special way over 20 kilometers. The Ski World Association does not like that at all.
Mathias Holbæk towered over at the U23 Ski-Kilanglauf World Cup in Schilpario, Italy-but a scene triggered discussions afterwards. Norway’s Skitalent Mathias Holbæk was sentenced to 250 Swiss francs (approx. 264 euros) by the World Association FIS – for “sexual jubilee”.
What happened? In the finish line of the 20 kilometers, the 21-year-old held one of his ski rocks on the abdomen and then straightened it. Apparently too vulgar for the FIS. According to Holbæk, the World Association informed him that the gesture was considered “sexual” and “unsportsmanlike” and therefore sanctioned. This reports Norway’s public service broadcaster “NRK”.
“I just wanted to celebrate at the finish line,” Holbæk is quoted by the broadcaster. “Then they came from the FIS and wanted to talk to me and my trainer. We were brought to the jury room, where we were asked to explain the cheers.” The explanation was probably not convincing the officials.
Holbæk then suffered sharp criticism of the FIS: “I think it is tiring that they deal with such things. First they complain that cross -country skiers should show a little more personality. And then they suddenly punish us for a cheer in my opinion was not even particularly daring. ” Even more: “Of course you have to accept the punishment, but I think it’s strange that I will be punished for it.” His cheers were “fun”, “something different from just stretching the arms up.”
The U23 World Cup was otherwise very successful for Holbæk: it won a total of three gold medals. However, the FIS has not yet commented on the punishment.