– It's a shame, because I love sports, and I love the Olympics, says the Norwegian biathlete Emil Helge Svendsen, who have been supporting Norway's bid for the 2022 Olympic Games.
The Norwegian government made the decision Wednesday evening to withdraw their bid for the games in eight years.
Understand people being skeptic
Emil Hegle Svendsen understand why people are skeptic, but still believes that Norway should've hosted the Olympics in 2022.
Foto: Eivind Aabakken / NRKEven though Svendsen have been positive to bringing the games back to Norway 28 years after the event in Lillehammer back in 1994, he understand why the public have been skeptical.
- There's a reason why people have been skeptical, and I understand why people get provoked by the IOCs long list of demands as they've been completely absurd, says the 29 year old biathlete before adding:
- Still, I've always thought of the magnificent event we could have to opportunity to host, and seen that as a good thing for Norway. Even though we might not like the IOC, we can want to host the Olympic Games on Norwegian ground.
- Sad and disappointing
Svendsen is not nearly the only Norwegian athlete to be upset after Norway withdrew their bid for the games. Former olympians, and hopes for the future, both have made their comments this evening.
- Being a part of the Olympics back home in Norway was my dream, and biggest goal, says Tiril Sjåstad Christiansen, slopestyle gold medalist from the X Games in 2013.
The Norwegian X Games gold medalist, Tiril Sjåstad Christiansen, feels like her biggest goal has been ripped away.
Foto: DOUG PENSINGER / Afp- It's really sad and disappointing that so many people are negative to such an event. I thing we missed out on a unique opportunity to show off norwegian winter sports at its best, and to host a truly outstanding event in Norway, says the freeskier, who also meet the support of speed skater Ådne Søndrål.
- It's such a shame, as an Olympic Games in your own country is the biggest thing you could ever experience as an athlete, says Søndrål, who himself figured in the games in Lillehammer twenty years ago.
Fear development will suffer
Johann Olav Koss fear for the Norwegian sports community.
Foto: Åserud, Lise / ScanpixJohan Olav Koss, one of Norway's true Olympic heroes, is afraid the government might have spoiled a huge opportunity in withdrawing their bid for the games in 2022.
- We'll miss out on the amazing improvement we saw in the Norwegian sports community leading up to the games i 1994, in terms of attention and attitude that could create success, claims the three time gold medalist from 1994.
- There was a massive change within every sports, and now we might not see the same, says the speed skater, who believes the politicians should use all the information gathered in the bidding process wisely.
- In withdrawing our bid for the games new arenas might be lost, but they don't have to be. This is an opportunity for the government to increase their investment towards the Norwegian sports community, and secure new arenas across the nation, says Koss.
