Good biathletes are a dime a dozen in Norway. Before the World Cup in Ruhpolding, the reaction to a decision by those responsible who simply did not fill a starting place in the women’s team was all the more violent.
John-Olav Botn recently found out how difficult it is to get a place in the World Cup team for Norwegian biathletes. After outstanding performances in the IBU Cup in Oberhof, the 24-year-old was given the chance to prove himself in the A squad.
In the sprint, he caused a bit of a bang on the cross-country ski trail when he burned the best running time into the snow. At the shooting range, however, his nerves deserted him. Botn shot a total of four errors, also ran one penalty lap too many and ended up only in 26th place. In the pursuit (five errors) he only improved slightly and crossed the line in 24th place.
Botn received the receipt for his achievements before the World Cup in Ruhpolding: his performances were not good enough for those responsible. He was immediately demoted back to the IBU Cup team. For him, Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen is now moving back into the senior team.
Ex-biathlete criticizes decision: “It’s a scandal”
The situation in the Norwegian women’s A squad is completely different. The resignations of Marte Olsbu Røiseland and Tiril Eckhoff left a gap in the team, which was also supposed to be an opportunity for the biathletes from the second row. But they won’t get this chance in Ruhpolding, because instead of the allowed six runners, the Scandinavians will only be starting with five athletes.
Norwegian coach Kjartan Helland assessed the decision of his colleagues from the A team as a “very unfortunate decision”. It was tempting to even describe the decision as “disrespectful,” he railed against “NRK.” Ex-biathlete Ola Lunde even went one step further and said: “This is a scandal!”
Coach fears wave of biathlon resignations
The athletes from the second row would ask themselves why they should invest in biathlon at all if the starting quota in the World Cup is not even met, said Lunde. “It’s important that more female runners get the chance to prove themselves in the World Cup. Not only in terms of their motivation, but also their future commitment.”
Helland added: “When they see that a starting spot is available, it’s only normal that they wonder why they didn’t get it. Or at least that they say to themselves that someone should have gotten the spot.” In the worst case scenario, the association even risks that some athletes from the second row will simply end their careers because they don’t get a chance.
Biathlon manager justifies non-occupation
Team manager Per Arne Botnan was rather tight-lipped to “NRK” when asked to explain the reason for the decision. There will always be differences of opinion on personnel issues, he said: “But we made the assessment as we made it. We always want to meet the starting quota, but we have selection criteria for the World Cup and the IBU Cup.”
Marthe Krogstad Johansen was specifically not included in the Ruhpolding squad because she “should train better” at home, said Botnan. “And then we want to see the weakest from the World Cup against the strongest in the IBU Cup,” said the sports director, explaining why they were not taken into account.