Last spring, Jorunn Sundgot-Borgen raised alarm that the problems with eating disorders in cross-country skiing have never been so bad.
When the season has just started again, she is again receiving alarming signals.
- If I sounded an alarm last year, at least it is not better this year. I dare not say that it has increased because we have not mapped the scope. Since we have not done any systematic work here in Norway, I am only afraid that it will increase. It's quite tragic
She hopes that a system that will prevent eating disorders can be built up.
- But it is quite clear that we have not done so and therefore development continues. It is frightening because now many young riders are having problems, and the question is whether it affects the entire recruitment over time.
She points out that in many other sports a lot is done to prevent sports injuries,
- You chart the scope and find risk factors and then you make interventions. We must do that with regard to this problem as well.
- Then in each country you have to enter the club level and make preventative efforts. And at the top, leaders must admit that this is such a big problem that we can't sit still and watch.
"Sending wrong signals"But internationally, too, measures are required, says Jorunn Sundgot-Borgen. Already this spring, she was critical that the lanes were made tougher to stop riders from just striking. Something she thinks favors light riders.
- As long as Fis lets one of the most important races finish with a climb up an alpine hill, where you obviously get up faster the fewer kilos you have, it sends very bad signals. They have to do something about the web structure.
Fis writes in an e-mail to SVT Sport:
"It is the first criticism of this kind that has been directed at the final climb, after more than ten years of competing. No similar criticism has been expressed by any nation, team or athlete at any official committee meeting ".
“Of course, Fis takes all aspects of athletic well-being very seriously. There are several resources offered both directly through Fis and through the International Olympic Committee, such as the Athlete 365 portal and our Snow Safe platform, which are focused on both education and prevention ”.
ARCHIVE: Talent Ida Andersson on weight (April 7)
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Ida Andersson, 17, has been fighting eating disorders for several years. She says that models that look different are important for inspiration for young athletes. "If you want to be the best, you look at the best," Ida tells SVT Sport. Photo: Tom-William Lindström