Milano/Cortina – Although the Norwegian cross-country skiing team appears to be enjoying a period of internal calm at the 2026 Winter Olympics, a stark contrast exists with the ongoing turbulence within the Norwegian biathlon squad. Fresh off a gold medal in the 4x10km relay, Emil Iversen didn’t hesitate to highlight the difference, playfully suggesting his cross-country colleagues are thriving while their biathlon counterparts are facing challenges.
Iversen’s comments came during a training session in Italy, as reported by NRK. “It’s good to see. I love it. Absolutely lovely,” Iversen said with a smile. “They (the biathletes) are tearing each other apart, while we’re enjoying ourselves and taking gold. I like being on this side now. They’ve managed well for a long time, but I think it’s starting to unravel a bit. I think they might need to call us and ask how we do it.”
This playful jab comes with a degree of irony, as Norwegian cross-country skiers haven’t always presented a united front. Iversen himself, along with other team members, has previously voiced concerns about team selection during the Beijing 2022 Olympics, the 2023 World Championships in Planica and the 2025 World Championships in Trondheim. However, this year, a conscious effort has been made to maintain a more harmonious atmosphere.
Internal Agreement and Leadership Direction
The shift in team dynamics is a deliberate one, according to both athletes and coach Eirik Myhr Nossum. Nossum has emphasized the importance of avoiding public disagreements and addressing concerns internally. “We’ve had meetings beforehand about this,” Nossum stated, as reported by TV 2. “The selections have been clear. We’ve been presented with criteria that have been easy to relate to – for me, at least. We agreed as a team that we would support each other – and not get angry.”
Einar Hedegart, a relative newcomer to the cross-country team after a background in biathlon, echoed this sentiment. “We’ve had discussions about selections, but there’s a good respect within the group now,” Hedegart said. “It’s quite even around the places. There are some on the hotel and many at home who could likewise do well. The coaches have a luxury problem and have justified their choices, and people have respected that.”
Biathlon Team Faces Internal Challenges
The contrast with the biathlon team is striking. Recent issues have included Sturla Holm Lægreid admitting to infidelity on the day of teammate Johan-Olav Botn’s victory, a timing that drew criticism. Martin Uldal, who was left off the team, publicly expressed feeling misled by the leadership, a sentiment supported by veteran biathlete Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen, who described the leadership’s communication as “begredelig” (deplorable) in an interview with NRK.
Sjåstad Christiansen responded to Iversen’s comments with a touch of humor, stating, “Emil has turn into the glue of the team over there, it seems. He’s really found himself and found peace in his older days. I’ll send him a snap. For once, we can learn a bit from the calm in the cross-country skiing camp.”
Looking Ahead to the 50km Race
Iversen is set to compete in the 50km race on Saturday, his first individual event of the Games. He will be joined by Johannes Høsflot Klæbo, Martin Løwstrøm Nyenget, and Harald Østberg Amundsen as the Norwegian quartet. The team’s focus remains on maintaining the positive internal dynamic that has contributed to their success thus far. The emphasis on unity and support, as highlighted by both athletes and coach Nossum, appears to be a key strategy for navigating the pressures of Olympic competition.
The coming days will reveal whether the Norwegian cross-country team can continue to build on this momentum and whether the biathlon team can address its internal challenges. The pursuit of medals, coupled with a commitment to team cohesion, will be central to both teams’ efforts as the Milano/Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics continue.
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