Jan-Erik Aalbu, sports manager for the Norwegian ski jumping national team, admits that he has a share of the blame for what has happened. But still does not intend to leave his post.
I have failed as a leader, says Aalbu at a press conference on Thursday, writes NTB.
About an hour earlier, it had been announced that Robin Pedersen, Kristoffer Eriksen Sundal, and Robert Johansson are the latest Norwegian ski jumpers to be suspended pending investigation after the scandal with manipulated competition suits, which was uncovered during the World Championship in Trondheim.
Other manipulation
The International Ski Federation (Fis) reported at a press conference in Norwegian Holmenkollen earlier on Thursday that they have found signs - other than those discovered during the World Championship - indicating that suits have been manipulated in an unauthorized manner.
It's other things. It's not exactly the same (as during the World Championship), says Sandro Pertile, competition leader for ski jumping.
The rules could have been better formulated, but everyone knows them. We do not accept anyone breaking the rules, says Fis Secretary General Michel Vion.
On Thursday, the Norwegian Ski Federation's chairman Tove Moe Dyrhaug also met the press for the first time since the scandal was uncovered. She says that cheating is unacceptable, but still stands behind ski jumping manager Jan-Erik Aalbu.
Now, extensive work awaits to restore confidence in Norwegian ski jumping, particularly on the men's side, she says according to VG.
No cheating in the women's team
Fis has not found any similar irregularities with the competition suits of the Norwegian women's team or the national team for Nordic combined.
Earlier, Norwegian ski jumpers Marius Lindvik and Johann André Forfang were suspended as they allegedly competed with unauthorized suits during the World Championship. Lindvik took silver in the large hill, but was disqualified after the cheating with suits was uncovered.
Coaches Magnus Brevig, Thomas Lobben, and Adrian Livelten are also suspended during the investigation.
Earlier on Thursday, Stine Korsen, chairman of the Norwegian Ski Federation's ski jumping committee, also announced that she is resigning.
