“This affair will have consequences. It’s too early to say what they will be,” says the Norwegian ski jumping boss.
“We cheated”. At a press conference, the boss of the Norwegian ski jumping team, Jan-Erik Aalbu, admitted that something had been done to Marius Lindvik and Johann Andre Forfang ‘s ski suits for the big hill competition at the World Championships in Trondheim (Norway). A reinforced wire was used. A video posted online by the Polish media captured the manipulation. “ It was done knowing full well that it did not comply with the regulations, but with the conviction that it would not be detected by the FIS equipment inspector,” he said.
“I would like to stress the seriousness of the situation. We have deceived and disappointed everyone who loves the sport of show jumping, including ourselves. This is unacceptable”, he declared, according to TV2. He then apologised.
Jan-Erik Aalbu, who took up his post as director of ski jumping before the winter, said that “this affair will have consequences. It’s too early to say what they will be. However, he denied any knowledge of the matter: “I knew nothing about our cheating with the suits. I know we work to optimise them when we sew them, but I’ve always been very clear that we must never cross the red line. The suits have to be validated”. He also said that coach Magnus Brevig was on his way to Oslo and that he would be explaining himself shortly.
On Saturday, Marius Lindvik thought he had won another medal on the Granåsen springboard. But shortly after the end of the competition, the FIS announced that he had been disqualified, along with his compatriot Johann Andre Forfang, because their suits did not comply with International Ski Federation (FIS) regulations.
The test was carried out after the competition. Earlier, Austria, Poland and Slovenia had lodged a protest, which was initially rejected.
Jan-Erik Aalbu said that only the wetsuits of the two athletes in question had undergone an intervention. He also pointed out that Marius Lindvik had jumped with a different combination when he won gold on the small hill.
On Sunday, it was announced that the FIS would be conducting investigations. “I have not been able to speak to the athletes. But I will do so this evening, or tomorrow during the day. I welcome the fact that the FIS is now also opening an investigation. And of course, we will cooperate fully with them,” said the Norwegian ski jumping team boss.
Next week, she will be taking part in Raw Air in Oslo and Vikersund.
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