The Norwegian ski jumping team admitted fraud. The circumstances shake sport – and also make Germany in a friendly manner in Germany.
Last weekend the Norwegian ski jumper Marius Lindvik, Johann André Forfang and Kristoffer Eriksen Sundal disqualified after the World Cup competition on the Großchanze. The World Association (FIS) justified the decision with a “manipulation of the suit”. In the meantime, the Norwegian team has stood the fraud through an unauthorized reinforced seam in the suits that offered more stability. Head coach Magnus Brevig was suspended, as did his assistant Thomas Lobben and the Adrian line cutter.
On Wednesday, the FIS announced that Lindvik and Forfang “are also suspended because of their alleged participation in illegal equipment manipulations” and are no longer allowed to take part in competitions. The scandal shakes the world ski jump and also employs the former German ski jumping star and TV expert Severin Freund. In an interview with T-Online, the 36-year-old ski flight world champion from 2014 talks about the consequences for his sport-and about what has to change now.
T-online: How do you rate the effects of manipulation of the Norwegians on the sport?
Severin Freund: You still can’t refrain from what kind of consequences will have. It is a huge drama. At the same time, I hope that it can be a great chance.
That the right conclusions are drawn from it. Something has to be changed very urgently on the control procedure so that something like this is no longer possible in the future and there can be greater fairness.
How do you think the control procedure should change by the World Association FIS?
If possible, technical solutions are an advantage because there is no more human factor. So far it has been said that this is not yet possible. You have to wait. It is also in the room that the NFC chips that are inserted and checked in the suits were cloned by the Norwegians and that the regulations of the attraction restriction may have been avoided. If that were the case, it would show that the technology is not infallible either. In the future, the Manpower will need the controls and the will that you drive a zero tolerance line from the start. Then you would have a better system.
Would there be fewer material developments among the nations over the course of the season?
At the beginning of this season there were material differences. Germany was relatively well positioned and Austria was probably the best. The changes to the rules have come to close. Other nations left behind at the beginning. But that’s not the big problem. In my opinion, there may continue to be a material development.
There must be a very clear framework. However, if someone – as it happened now – is over the frame, then there must be very clear sanctions immediately and directly. At the moment you don’t have the feeling that the FIS is in an active role, but only reacts to what happens. This is not a good situation.
What is the need for punishments for regulatory violations?
In the event of violations of the rules, there could be blocks or material withdrawal. Financial sanctions could also be imposed. It is important that it depends on the severity of the violation. There are clear differences.