The World Championship's last ski jumping competition, in the large hill, developed into a Norwegian catastrophe. Three out of four Norwegian jumpers, including silver medalist Marius Lindvik, were disqualified after their competition uniforms were deemed unapproved.
A video allegedly showing the cheating, where Norwegian leaders are seen sewing the uniforms, was first shared by Polish journalist Jakub Balcerski.
Ski jumping legend Adam Malysz calls it, according to NTB, a catastrophe for Norwegian and international ski jumping. Some have likened it to doping.
"Not cheating"
Norwegian national team coach Magnus Brevig disagrees.
It's not cheating. It's a rule violation, said Brevig on Saturday, according to NTB.
The Ski World Championship in Trondheim has been a major public success. According to the organizers, far over half a million people have followed the championship – either the competitions or the medal ceremonies – on site.
World Championship chief Åge Skinstad does not think the ski jumping scandal changes that.
Two weeks of folk festival
This absolutely does not cast a shadow over these two weeks. It has been two weeks of folk festival, says Skinstad.
When I hear from my friends abroad who have seen this on TV, there is no doubt that this has been a successful championship.
He does not want to comment on the matter of the scandal, despite his position as the highest responsible for the championship.
It's sad for ski jumping that it becomes like this. But it's something between the Norwegian Ski Association, FIS (International Ski Federation) and the jury. Rules are naturally meant to be followed, but I have no further comments.
