World Cup in Östersund in danger: "Damn hurry"

At the beginning of December, the original plan is for the World Cup in biathlon to be decided in Östersund.

But the IBU plans to reduce the number of organizers due to the corona pandemic and Russian, American and Ukrainian skiers can not come to Sweden, it looks dark for Östersund.

-We must get an exemption from the entry ban for the international participants who have to do here in their profession: active, leaders, maybe some TV team, those who set up timekeeping, the anti-doping gang.

We must be able to guarantee that they can come here, as long as they are healthy, says Patrik Jemteborn, who is in charge of the World Cup in Östersund.

Decision next week

The entry ban for unnecessary travel to Sweden from countries other than EU countries, the United Kingdom, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland is currently in force until 31 October and it is unclear whether it will be extended again.

The regulations contain certain exceptions - but that does not include elite athletes.

Something that both the Swedish Sports Confederation (RF) and the biathlon federation have now demanded must be changed by the government.

According to Jemteborn, it is likely that the IBU will go from four to two organizers until the turn of the year - those who are judged safest from a corona point of view.

This, together with the entry ban, puts Östersund in a tough situation.

-Our great frustration is that the IBU will make a decision on this next week, so if we can demonstrate a positive message from the government preferably before midnight tomorrow, that we solve this in Sweden.

Then it strengthens our chances, he says and continues:

-I want a guarantee for all participating nations.

That as long as you are healthy, regardless of whether you come from Russia or another country, you can come here.

TT: Is that also a requirement from the IBU?

-Yes, I would say that.

We stand and fall with this.

-The government has a choice to make.

Either sport is given this exception.

Otherwise, we and the hospitality industry will need even more support packages in the future.

"Incredibly frustrating"

TT: Have you received an answer from Damberg?

-No, not me knowingly.

But Amanda Lind has confirmed that they are working on it, but she can not say when we will get an answer.

Swedish biathlon has already lost a competition this year when the IBU Cup (the level during the World Cup) was canceled until Christmas, which meant that the competition in Idre was canceled.

-If there should be another blow, that we are not allowed to carry out the parade number of the World Cup - then it is serious.

And it would be so tragicomic that we would fall on our own two feet - that we in Sweden are not so quick-footed that we can make a decision.

That would be incredibly frustrating.

"Damn hurry"

Östersund can of course lose its World Cup anyway - if the IBU thinks that some of the other organizers before Christmas are better.

-If they judge us anyway, that's another question.

But we must not fall into the trap of not being able to give a message ourselves.

Give us the chance to offer Sweden as an arena, and it is in a hurry.

It's damn urgent.

If Östersund is allowed to remain as host, you will probably get more competition days as another host will then probably have to be kicked out.

And the fact is that Jemteborn has offered that Östersund can host all competitions - if needed.

-It can be the case that you are only in one place.

I have actually suggested to the IBU that it be an opportunity to be here.

But we must first get them here to Sweden.