Norwegian arrogance

It is suggested to us everywhere that this coronavirus, which has been with us for what feels like half our lives and has messed up so many things, is now over. The work on the various institutes that provided policy guidelines is in full swing. It is gradually becoming clear that some bans were not urgently necessary. Child welfare in particular has suffered greatly. However, one can and should admit to everyone that the disturbing images at the outbreak of the pandemic (I am reminded of Bergamo) fueled some measures that subsequently turned out to be too rigid. It was new territory for everyone and a new frontier experience in life. So we're looking back now? No, it's still far too early for that.

Corona hasn't just said goodbye, but is still omnipresent and has a huge influence. In biathlon, for example, the virus has ensured that the decision on the overall men's World Cup has already been made this week, although there are still a few races to be completed. Johannes Thingnes Bø won the big crystal ball for the fourth time because his at least nominally still possible competitor Sturla Holm Laegreid was already missing in Nove Mesto na Moravje (Czech Republic). Also these days in Östersund (Sweden) the second best Norwegian is not on the start list. By the way, neither is the best, at least until Sunday or who knows, even beyond that. The Dominator has Corona, as does his brother Tarjei. Incidentally, Quentin Fillon-Maillet, the best Frenchman, the Ukrainian Dmytro Pidruchnyi and the Swede Sebastian Samuelsson, who recently won the mass start title at the World Championships in Oberhof (Germany), were also caught.

Victory and second place despite Corona Usually these are just news or announcements. Corona is seen like a muscle tension that makes competition impossible at the moment. But in this particular case, the positive Corona test revealed a new and not particularly pleasant side to the Norwegian team, especially for the Bø brothers. Johannes Thingnes and his older brother Tarjei competed in the Czech Republic despite Corona, miraculously took first and second place and then marched to the award ceremony wearing a mask. Everyone thought that the two of them just wanted to be extra careful. No one initially suspected they were infected.

The brothers together at the award ceremony. © APA/afp / MICHAL CIZEK

It's clear for a long time that they shouldn't have started. There is no ban. Corona has officially been defeated. But while Laegreid or Fillon-Maillet were aware of their responsibility, the Norwegians were probably the devil. Their sporting superiority apparently led to a complete loss of reality, which culminated in them wanting to board the IBU charter plane to Östersund. The Norwegian team boss Per Arne Botnan became a fairytale uncle and told the story of the miraculous exchange of air on the plane that would prevent the virus from spreading. Protests by many activists prevented this. Botnan had to rebook and send his two stars to Sweden separately and on different flights. The Norwegian biathlon aces didn't do themselves any favors with their action. The well-deserved admiration for her performance so far has been seriously scratched. A rather intense hint of arrogance accompanies the expressed feeling that one is invincible in every situation. Consideration and caution towards everyone in the biathlon camp was suddenly thrown overboard.

Norwegians on thin ice The Norwegian aces are currently on very thin ice. This could also be seen at the Nordic World Ski Championships in Planica (Slovenia) when the four-time overall World Cup winner in the Nordic combined, Jarl Magnus Riiber, just stayed in the middle of the race on the normal hill in the final cross-country skiing. He put his hand to his forehead, indicating that he was looking for competition. It was deeply disrespectful behavior. After all, he didn't hurt anyone with it, just his personal reputation. The biathlon brothers, on the other hand, accepted that they could possibly pass the virus on to their competitors. The Swede Martin Ponsiluoma was on the podium in Nove Mesto in third place, very close to Johannes and Tarjei Bø.

However, one cannot completely ignore the discussion about the so-called cancellation results, which have always been possible up to now. Two or three races have so far been eliminated from the rankings, so health problems were sometimes not as significant. With the new system, in which all results are taken into account, some athletes feel forced to still go to the start even if they have minor symptoms such as a cold. Nobody knows whether the Bø's would have given up on their mission with the coronavirus in their bodies and would only be a speculative approach. The damage has now been done and cannot be repaired any time soon. A shadow now lies over the undoubtedly great success of Johannes Thingnes Bø. The Norwegians could have avoided this with tact and normal social behavior.

The author: Sigi Heinrich

The multi-award-winning sports journalist and TV commentator (including the German Television Award, Bavarian Sports Award, Biathlon Award, World Sports Trophy) dedicates his column “Sigi's Spitze” to the entire diversity of sport and also enjoys poaching in other areas. Sometimes humorous and with a smile and a wink, sometimes dead serious or deliberately provocative. There should be something for everyone. After studying sports at the Technical University of Munich, Heinrich was editor of the Süddeutsche Zeitung for ten years and has been a regular member of the commentators since the early years of Eurosport in 1989. He has been following the biathlon scene on the microphone for a quarter of a century.

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