Johannes Kläbo, who was in the middle of the conflict, dodged tough questions. The comments of the Norwegian national team coach drew criticism.
On the eve of the Ruka World Cup, there was one elephant in the room: Johannes Kläbon return to the Norwegian national team.
The superstar announced in the spring that he would leave the national team. Kläbo and the Norwegian Skiing Federation wrangled until the fall about the representative agreement, which is necessary for a skier to represent his country in international competitions.
The agreement and Kläbo’s relationship with the Norwegian Ski Federation were on everyone’s lips on Thursday. Except the skier himself.
– I will not comment. I focus on skiing, was Kläbo’s answer to many questions.
Coach of the Norwegian men’s national sprint team Arild Monsen confused the cop even more.
Monsen said last week for VGthat Kläbo must be honest with Ruka and leave out the fake smiles. Nettavinen characterized comments as embarrassing and wrote that the coach should have kept quiet.
– I will not comment. You just have to live with critics, Monsen replied.
– I’m focusing on our own story and what will happen in the next few days. We talk too much about conflict, he dodged.
Back?
Johannes Kläbo appeared in front of the media on Thursday. PASI LEISMA
Despite the events, Kläbo is welcome back to the games and even to the national team.
– I hope that Kläbo will return to the national team, Monsen admitted.
The superstar has invested himself, among other things, in high-altitude training. He heard about Monsen’s wish from the media.
– We’ll see where I am next year. I’ve had such a good time. In my opinion, we have done a good job in training, Kläbo said.
– When you are not in the national team, you have to bear the consequences. That’s what I’ve done too. Communication has been good. No bad memories, he continued.
Kläbo did not want to go through the controversy. PASI LEISMA
The agreement with the Ski Association came about when the Norwegian star was skiing in Kuusamo. The content of the agreement, on the other hand, is somewhat unclear. There was at least some controversy about the days off related to sponsorship work.
NRK wrote in October that Kläbo would have agreed to give up one of his own advertising spots in the national team uniform in the representation contract. Instead, he got more freedom on the sponsorship front outside of the race events.
A couple of days after the news, Norway’s cross-country boss Espen Bjervig hastened to state that some details still need to be negotiated.
– I’m only focused on coming here to compete. I haven’t heard what has been said about it. I just focus on training and competing. Winter is long, Kläbo countered the speculations with the coolness of the Northeast wind.
Back pack
The star recovered from the corona. PASI LEISMA
It is the second November in a row when Kläbo is on hot coals before the Ruka World Cup.
Last year, the Olympic champion suffered a hamstring injury, which is why the confirmation of Kuusamo’s trip had to wait for the chalk lines. In October of this year, Kläbo contracted the coronavirus.
– I didn’t train for seven days. Now I’m in a normal rhythm again. We’ll see how the competition goes. I have trained normally, rested and eaten well, the skier said.
The superstar is always the top favorite when he’s in full shape, but now he’s not putting pressure on winning.
– It’s just great to be back on the track. Let’s see what happens.