Nordic Nations Pull Out Of Cross Country Ski Races Over Covid-19 Fears
3rd December 2020
Last modified on May 13th, 2021
The Norwegian, Swedish and Finnish cross country ski teams have all been withdrawn from the next two World Cup events.
Norway, was first to withdraw, announcing the decision on Tuesday.
They’ve now been followed by Sweden and Finland.
It’s a somewhat surprising development to have all the major Nordic countries pull out.
Finland has just hosted the opening World Cup competitions of the season in Ruka.
Athletes from all three countries will not compete in the next races in Davos, Switzerland on 12th and 13th December and Dresden, Germany on 19th and 20th December.
They are the last two World Cup competitions of 2020.
It’s understood there are concerns that insufficient Covid-19 protocols are in place to offer protection.
It will be a big blow to the organisers to have the Nordic nations absent.
The British cross country skier, Andrew Musgrave, who is based in Norway, has expressed surprise at the decision.
He had his best ever start to the season in the World Cup in Ruka at the weekend, finishing 6th overall.
He said he felt Ruka had been both safe and well-organised.
No Norway, Sweden or Finland at the next world cups😢 Slightly strange of Finland to pull out- considering they organised the first races in Ruka. Do they think they didn't keep their own athletes safe on home soil? Or just that Davos/Dresden will do a worse job?
— Andrew Musgrave (@musgraveandrew) December 2, 2020
