Fuss about biathlon legend Bjørndalen: “He is being used”

Bjørndalen has been the coach of the Chinese national biathlon team since the end of 2019. His mission: to prepare the ski hunters from the Middle Kingdom as best as possible for the 2022 Winter Olympics, which, as we know, will take place in Beijing. However, this commitment is also controversial, especially for the Norwegian human rights organization.

This is now making allegations against Bjørndalen. “If you take on an important position in a totalitarian state, you must be conscious of your decision. Our job is to tell how bad the human rights situation is in China,” John Peder Egenæs, head of Amnesty Norway, told the portal VG . The position of national coach is a double-edged sword According to Egenæs, China operates so-called sports laundry. This means that a country hosts sporting events to improve its reputation and paper over its grievances, particularly when it comes to human rights. Therefore, according to the Norwegian Amnesty chief, it is questionable to accept the position of national coach in such a state. “I told Ole that I couldn’t decide where he worked. “But I hope he is aware that he is involved in a project that is obviously part of a larger strategy by the Chinese authorities.”

With eight Olympic gold medals, Bjørndalen is one of the most successful Winter Olympians ever. © APA / BARBARA GINDL

What he should do? “If it is important for Bjørndalen to have this job, then we believe he should also use his voice to challenge the Chinese authorities over human rights violations. I realize this is a difficult balancing act as he probably wants to keep the job. But with such an important issue, you should be able to ask for it,” says Egenæs. Used by the dictatorship? The 60-year-old also claims that Bjørndalen is being used by the dictatorship. “It is part of a clear plan to make China as beautiful as possible. It is important for China to be good at sports. He is the most famous biathlete in the world. It may not be the biggest sport, but getting him on the team brings prestige that creates a lot of prestige.”

Bjørndalen himself said some time ago that he was a full-time coach. “I don’t feel any political play in what I do. “I focus on the athletes and don’t talk about propaganda with any leader,” explained the biathlon star.

International human rights organizations continue to sound the alarm regarding China. Death penalty, torture, re-education camps, restrictions on freedom of expression, media and internet censorship and the oppression of ethnic minorities are just a few examples of how human rights are violated in the world's most populous country.

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Fuss about biathlon legend Bjørndalen: “He is being used”

Ole Einar Bjørndalen is probably the most famous biathlete in the world. Now there is a lot of fuss about the Norwegian.

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