“Believe in yourself because we believe in you”
Oct 18, 2022·Nordic Combined
FIS President Johan Eliasch took time during the FIS autumn meetings to discuss the IOC decision on Nordic Combined, which qualities he particularly appreciates in the discipline and addressed personal words to the athletes.
What was your reaction to the IOC's decision not to include women's Nordic Combined on the 2026 Olympic programme?
After female athletes were integrated into the FIS Youth Cup and Continental Cup, the first FIS Women’s Nordic Combined World Cup was launched in 2020/21. Inclusion in the programme of the Olympic Winter Games would have been the next and enormously important step for the further development of the sport. Especially considering our efforts for gender equality, we are very disappointed by the decision. However, we will continue to do everything we can to provide the best possible framework for the athletes to prosper and give them the perspective they need to grow.
What would you say are the most attractive qualities of Nordic Combined?
Nordic Combined looks back on a great tradition and has been given us many memorable performances. Johan Grøttumsbråten, Hannu Manninen or Eric Frenzel to just name a few have shaped or are shaping the sport and have anchored it in the hearts of so many fans. Above all, Nordic Combined is characterized by its diversity. To excel in both ski jumping and cross-country skiing require a special skills package, and that is exactly what makes the discipline so attractive.
How do you think FIS can best gain more support from the international community for Nordic Combined?
Our goal is to deliver a better, more valuable and more impactful FIS for the next generations of our stakeholders across an increasing number of nations. FIS has a range of audiences it needs to “speak to” effectively and with uniformity: From high performance athletes to the occasional snow sports enthusiast or viewer, across the globe in different locations, cultures, environments, and disciplines. The glue that binds this diversity is the shared passion for and the unique inspiration that is inherent in our sport. We are working on this tirelessly so that all disciplines will benefit from it.
What is your message for the Nordic Combined athletes as they head into the winter season?
Believe in yourself because we believe in you. You have my full support and I am fighting with you. Keep up your excellent work and I wish you all a successful and fulfilling season.
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