"This is not accepted in Norway": how rivals accused Bolshunov of disrespect for the Zealous at the World Cup in cross-country skiing

"It would be unacceptable for us"

The successes of Alexander Bolshunov still haunt his foreign rivals.

On Saturday, Russian Rocket became the world champion for the first time in his career, at the finish of the skiathlon ahead of five Norwegians at once, and on Sunday, together with Gleb Retivykh, he took third place in the team sprint.

This time the two-time World Cup winner did not have any conflicts with opponents, but they still found what to blame him for.

The Norwegian NRK published an article on Bolshunov's behavior after the finish.

Allegedly, Alexander, upset that Retivykh, who dropped from first place to third at the last stage, did not even congratulate his teammate and with all his appearance showed dissatisfaction with his performance.

Members of the Norwegian team condemned the Russian.

So, the three-time Olympic champion Johannes Klebo, although he paid tribute to the strength of the opponent, emphasized that he could be happy for his friend.

“Let him react and behave as he wants ... It seems to me that manners and what you want play a role here.

We stand for ours, let them focus on theirs.

I am very pleased with the way everything is arranged with us.

The team spirit in the Norwegian national team is great today, ”said Klebo.

In turn, Eric Valnes, who won the gold in the team sprint together with Johannes, also called Bolshunov's behavior unacceptable, even if they are from the Zealous and are engaged in different training groups.

“You can't do without camaraderie within the group.

Let's attribute this to cultural differences.

They are clearly not the best friends there, I don’t know ... But they will not receive an Oscar for this play here, ”the athlete emphasized.

And the coach of the Norwegian national team, Arild Monsen, was glad that this is simply impossible in his team, and everyone behaves more respectfully towards each other.

“This would be unacceptable in our country, but it is so unrealistic that one does not even have to think about what the consequences would be.

This is not accepted in Norway, ”the specialist noted.

Maya Dahlqvist, a Swede, supported the neighbors, who noted that in her national team skiers always wish each other well, and are angry in case of defeat exclusively at themselves.

However, not everyone criticized Bolshunov in this situation.

For example, the 2011 world champion Devon Kershaw explained his behavior by "the spirit of competition."

According to the Canadian, Alexander always wants to win exclusively gold medals.

And the flight director of the International Ski Federation (FIS) Pierre Miniere noted that there is nothing to blame the Russian in this situation, and there can be no talk of any sanctions. 

“The jury evaluates only possible violations of the rules.

There is an obligation to be present at the awards ceremony, but there is no rule that instructs athletes to celebrate and rejoice, ”the functionary explained.

"At the time of the finish, I was still in the transfer zone and was a little upset."

At the same time, the finish of the team race turned out to be really discouraging for the Russian national team.

Bolshunov at the last stage passed the baton to the Zealovs first with an advantage of four seconds over Klebo and five seconds over the Finn Yoni Mäki.

However, Gleb did not have enough strength for the last lap, and he let both of them go ahead.

And after the finish, the skier himself said that the partner had changed the team tactics during the race.

“Initially, it was a little different, I had to go ahead at the penultimate stage and only then pass the baton first.

Sasha decided to change it a little during the race.

And by this time I had ate.

Sasha, I'm sorry that everything turned out this way.

The last circle failed at all.

It is interesting, of course, why the Finns ran so well, ”Retivykh said on Match TV.

The two-time World Cup winner himself later stressed that he had no questions to his partner in the Russian national team, and explained why he did not approach his partner.

“This is a sport, and here I cannot say anything.

Nothing can be done.

At that moment I was still in the transfer zone and was a little upset, caught my breath after the race and only then left, ”the athlete emphasized.

“The Norwegians are adding fuel to the fire.

Any negative interview will anger Bolshunov "

In order to understand whether Bolshunov really violated the unwritten ski rules and behaved ugly towards the Zealous, RT talked with Olympic medalists Alexander Panzhinsky and Alexei Petukhov.

The first stressed that there is no unspoken law, according to which partners are obliged to congratulate each other after the race.

“I’m sure they communicated well later.

After the finish, both were upset, as they perceived the third place as a defeat.

Perhaps the Norwegians are trying to break Alexander's emotional background in this way.

They add fuel to the fire, not realizing that any negative interview only further makes Bolshunov angry and makes him stronger, ”Panzhinsky said.

According to the silver medalist of the 2010 Olympic Games, the Norwegians also did not take into account the peculiarities of the functioning of the Russian national team, which is actually divided into four training groups.

“Skiers don't always get along well with each other.

Bolshunov, on the other hand, is a very purposeful and peculiar athlete.

Somewhere he is closed and wayward.

But all people are different and are not obliged to be friends with each other.

Perhaps they do not have a warm relationship with the Zealous.

Plus Alexander is a maximalist and always wants to win.

It is clear that he was annoyed with the third place, and therefore did not approach his partner.

It is incorrect and incorrect to blame him in this case.

The Scandinavians do not know Alexander and his character.

But it is thanks to him that he is winning all of Norway alone, ”added Panzhinsky.

In turn, although Petukhov confirmed that the Russian had not violated any rules, he noted that he could have behaved differently.

“Anyway, you need to congratulate your teammate.

In this case, emotions were overflowing.

Sasha almost led Russia to gold.

He is a maximalist.

In his understanding, medals of other dignity do not exist.

But we saw the behavior of Yulia Stupak at the finish of the women's team sprint, when she approached Natalya Nepryaeva and hugged her.

Nobody blamed anyone.

Everything here is at the discretion of the athlete.

Sasha behaved this way.

If I were in his place, I would support my teammate and say that anything can happen.

It's still a medal, not a piece of wood, and Bolshunov will have the opportunity to win further, "the world champion said.

Nevertheless, in his opinion, there is no talk of any conflict between the athletes, and even from the joint interview it was felt that there was no understatement between them.

“Alexander is understandable.

He provided such a reserve, and it was only enough for the third place.

I'm sure they had a good conversation with the Zealous later.

Even in the evening on the air of one of the TV channels, according to their joint interview, it was clear that everything was fine.

Norwegians exude negativity, but you shouldn't pay attention to that, ”Petukhov added.