Eastern Sunday. New season, new rules.
It’s not something Swedish athletes would welcome.
It can put your health at risk for the rest of your life, says Elvira Oberg.
The International Biathlon Union (IBU) is implementing several rule changes in the upcoming season. Sixty-five percent of the world’s elite athletes voted against the proposals over the winter, but the federation did not take that into account. World Cup races will no longer award World Cup points and the prize money will be split, among other things, amongst more riders.
There is a new rule that provokes strong reactions in the Swedish national team. Not least with Elvira Öberg, who had intended to run all the races over the winter.
– We got rid of the results of our strokes. Previously, all riders could count the two worst results in total, which was fine, for example, if you had a satisfying weekend, but now all competitions will count, says Oberg.
‘Danger increases’
What method will have the most negative impact?
I think the danger will increase people’s competition when they are young. It is absolutely unnecessary because then you can risk your health for the rest of your life or the rest of the season. It was clear that the majority of the contestants were against the proposal and yet they opposed it. very sad.
Why do you think the IBU is against cyclists?
It’s to ease the assembly process at the end of the season and I can somehow understand that, but I don’t think that argument holds up, says the 23-year-old.
‘Unpopular with passengers’
Sebastian Samuelson He’s also not positive about the rule changes, but he thinks it’s a good idea to introduce the one-year ban on fluorine wax.
– It sounds like a reasonable decision and when it comes to the points system for World Cup competitions (the winner will now get 90 points instead of 60, the second will get 75 and the third 60) I still claim it’s not popular with the riders but I believe and hope the best athlete in the sport wins Overall this season too, says Samuelsson.
