(Winter Olympics asks "Ji") Why is cross-country skiing called "snow marathon"?
China News Service, Shijiazhuang, December 21. To select the oldest ice and snow sports in the history of world sports, cross-country skiing should have a place.
This winter sport, which originated in Northern Europe and has high requirements for athletes' adaptability, athletic ability and technology, will occupy 12 gold medals in the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, which is comparable to the "track and field" in the ice and snow events.
So, where does the title of cross-country skiing "snow marathon" come from?
The picture shows the National Cross-Country Ski Center in Zhangjiakou Division of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.
Photo by Zhai Yujia
According to legend, during the Norwegian Civil War in the early 13th century, two scouts called "birch legs" defended King Haakon IV, who was only two years old, from the enemy and skied over the snowy mountains. This is the origin of cross-country skiing.
To commemorate this event, Norway now holds a cross-country marathon ski race every year. The distance is 35 miles, the same distance as the scouts skid.
In today's Winter Olympics, the cross-country skiing course is relatively flat. The course is divided into uphill, downhill and flat terrain, each accounting for about one-third.
The techniques used in skiing are divided into free techniques and traditional techniques.
The picture shows the National Cross-Country Ski Center in Zhangjiakou Division of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.
Photo by Zhai Yujia
The reason why cross-country skiing is called the "snow marathon" is the athlete's endurance and physical strength.
The cross-country skiing competitions of the Winter Olympics set 10 kilometers, 15 kilometers, 30 kilometers, and even the longest distance of 50 kilometers, which is equivalent to sliding a marathon distance.
Because cross-country skiing is one of the competitions in the Nordic and Biathlon, it is also an important support for the Nordic and Biathlon.
The picture shows the National Cross-Country Ski Center in Zhangjiakou Division of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.
Photo by Zhai Yujia
In addition to the long distance of the competition, it is worth mentioning that in the Winter Olympics, the cross-country skiing men's 50km and women's 30km award ceremony will be held at the closing ceremony, which is very similar to the marathon award ceremony of the Summer Olympics. , Which makes cross-country skiing called "snow marathon" more appropriate.
The interesting point is that during the finish sprint of a cross-country skiing competition, athletes often fall.
But sometimes this kind of fall will be regarded as a sprint tactic, the purpose is to fall to victory.
The picture shows the National Cross-Country Ski Center in Zhangjiakou Division of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.
Photo by Zhai Yujia
In summary, it can be said that the cross-country skiing strength of a country directly affects its competitive level in Nordic Biathlon and Biathlon competitions, which shows that its position is very important. Therefore, there is also a saying that "cross-country skiers win the world". .
(Organized by Hao Ye)