The successful Norwegian winter sports route

We should actually learn a few words in Norwegian. But on the other hand: Almost everyone in this country with the eternally long coast speaks English, so in the end we get by comfortably. Why Norwegian? It is the language of sport, not only in winter, but especially in the cold season it is particularly noticeable that this Scandinavian country, almost on time for the start of the World Cup season, unleashes athletes on the competition, who in turn turn them like a herd driving reindeer in front of him. Norway is the measure of all things. More than 30 medals at the Winter Olympics have long been the normal average. And I want to underline that with a few names: Kjetil Andre Aamodt, Lasse Kjus, Atle Skaardal, Axel Lund Svindal, Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, Henrik Kristoffersen. Tom Stiansen still comes to mind, Erik Haker of course, Stein Erikson and Finn-Christian Jagge. I'll get to Ole Kristian Furuseth later. The women in the alpine area are not quite as present, but I can still remember Andrine Flemmen and especially Astrid Lodemä well. But please. This is the small alpine area. When you jump to the Nordic disciplines, it becomes clear that everyone's only concern is to come second or third, because in the front are the “elks”, as they are often uncharacteristically called.

But of course everyone knows who is meant. And now ladies first: Therese Johaug, a not undisputed exceptional talent, Heidi Weng and her now more successful cousin Tiril Udnen Weng or Marit Bjoergen. And then of course Björn Daehli, a legend for a long time. In Norway, cross-country skiing is not just a sport, but part of the culture. In Oslo, families stand in the tram with cross-country skis and go up to Holmenkollen. Or they go out of the house somewhere lonely. “We’re going skiing,” that’s what they say. Oh yes, of course it goes further. Logically with biathlon and with Ole Einar Björndalen, who they called “Pirate” because he always wanted more and more victories. He was the best in his profession. His colleague Emil Hegli Svendsen and most recently Johannes Tignes Boe and his older brother Tarje. And the young talent is already putting pressure on the established stars. And just now Halvor Egner Granerud is rising above everyone, floating, even flying up and away. Up to the stars. Two starts at the Four Hills Tournament, two wins. Someone like Jarl Magnus Riber, who only runs the Nordic combined, receives little attention.

World record by Karsten Warholm And then there is summer. Then there is Grete Waitz, who died so early at the age of 57 after suffering from cancer. She ran marathons so lightly and successfully that the world of endurance elite still bows in awe before her. There is Karsten Warholm, who holds the world record in the 400 m hurdles, and the Ingebrigtsen brothers, who dominate in the middle distances, even against strong competition from Africa. There was also a world-class swimmer: Alexander Dale Oen, who was world champion in the 100m breaststroke and died under mysterious circumstances before the Olympic Games in London. Yes, it's impressive what Norway is doing in sport. The handball players, for example, are also world class.

Everything starts from Olympic topping How does it all work? It's actually quite simple, which brings me to Ole Kristian Furuseth as promised. He is part of a team of experts based at Olympiatoppen, a modest building with simple rooms in Oslo. Nothing is glamorous. The elite who control the sport meet there. You don't have to imagine that this team, which consists of around ten specialists in their fields, holds a meeting every day.

The Norwegian Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo is the best cross-country skier in the world. © ANSA / MAYK WENDT

It's more that the thoughts come together, focused on the goal of being successful. And for me the decisive factor: Everything is designed across all sports. People exchange ideas. The Alpine skiers benefit from the cross-country skiers and vice versa. In addition, there is an unusually high level of training intensity and a constant watchful eye on potential talents. What is important is the fact that families and clubs are always included. Society, politics and the economy are on board and also feel part of all sporting endeavors. This is a massive difference to Germany or Italy, for example, where the sport is nowhere near as accepted as it is in Norway.

Only the successful athlete is supported However, not everything that glitters is gold in Norway. Anyone who is no longer productive, for whatever reason, quickly becomes very lonely. The biathlete Marte Olsbu Röiseland, who was outstanding at the Olympic Games in Beijing, recently complained that no one from the association took care of her when she was so weak in health after Corona and shingles that she was unable to train for a long time . She even missed the first three World Cup stages. The Norwegian system, which seems so wonderful, also has its downsides, which arise from the merciless nature of sporting competition. Only those who are competitive will receive the necessary support. The Norwegian athletes know this. There is no social network to support them in difficult situations. This certainly uncomfortable realization also drives them, much to the chagrin of the competition.

About the author: Sigi Heinrich The award-winning sports journalist (including the German Television Prize and the Bavarian Sports Prize), author and TV commentator, devotes his column “Sigi's Peaks” to all areas of sport and sometimes poaches in foreign areas. Sometimes with a smile and a wink, sometimes serious and sometimes deliberately provocative. There should be something for everyone.

I wish all readers of stol+ and of course especially those who have the patience to read my columns, which, I know, are sometimes short essays, a good and, above all, healthy New Year. Stay with me.

Football

Italy

International leagues

International

Winter sports

Tennis

Other sports

Motorsport

Cycling

Watersports

Events

Favorites

The successful Norwegian winter sports route

In his first tip of 2023, our columnist Sigi Heinrich looks at the secret of Norwegian sport's success. It is a concentration of forces combined with the experiences of former athletes. But this system also has its problem areas, although on the whole it seems to be worth imitating.

Suggestions

Comments (0)