Nordic Skiing: A National Status in Peril
It’s a real shockwave that could shake up Nordic skiing in Norway in the coming weeks. For some time now, the government has been questioning the future of Holmenkollen, particularly about the national facility status that was granted to the site over a hundred years ago.
In this context, the Norwegian political authorities are launching a consultation today to put an end to this preferential position. The current system of national facilities is reserved for a small number of sports and installations. We need to find good solutions to safeguard high-level sports in the coming years, explains Luban Jaffrey, the Minister of Culture, to NRK.
Whatever happens, the site will retain its national status for biathlon, but Holmenkollen is at risk of losing cross-country skiing, alpine skiing, ski jumping, and Nordic combined. Norway is fortunate to have several facilities better suited for international competitions. For example, the next World Cross-Country Ski Championships will be held in Trondheim, not in Holmenkollen, which is why we propose to replace certain agreements, adds the politician.
A misunderstood government will
A decision that does not sit well, particularly with the municipality of Oslo, informed by the government that no longer plans to be involved in the maintenance of the facilities. I am shocked, they underestimate the importance and status of Holmenkollen for all Norwegians. The vast majority of people have a strong connection to the facilities, I do not understand the government’s intent, says Anita Leirvik Nord, a member of the municipality.
Erlend Munkeby, the general manager of Kollen-hopp, an organization that brings together ski jumping and Nordic combined at the site, echoed the sentiment: It’s a strange decision, the arena is unique, and few people will understand the removal of its national status. But for him, this downgrading could be more problematic: The FIS considers the site the Mecca of jumping, and if it loses its status, it’s not certain this will continue.
Beyond the prestige, the national installation status is essential for sites that, thanks to it, obtain state subsidies to develop various facilities. Therefore, the future of Holmenkollen will be decided in the next three months.
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