PHOTO: Bildbyrån
The Norwegian cross-country skier Emil Iversen recently opened up about his mental difficulties.
Now the Norwegian federation is receiving criticism from the Swedish skiing profile and columnist Torbjörn Nordvall.
“The ski association should take his signals very seriously,” he writes in a column in the Norwegian Nettavisen.
Emil Iversen has had a tough year behind him on the ski tracks, which has led to him being questioned from several quarters where some critics argued that Iversen should not be selected for the World Cup.
“Been a struggle”
It has taken a toll on the 31-year-old Norwegian.
– It has been a struggle. It has been like a shadow in the back of my head all summer and autumn: “Am I good enough” and “Is this the last thing I have done on skis?”, he has previously said in an interview with Nettavisen.
The article continues after the picture.
Torbjörn Nordvall are chronicled in the same newspaper, and the former Swedish press manager and media advisor now directs sharp criticism at the Norwegian Skiing Association and urges them to take Iversen seriously. Especially after the Norwegian was “grilled” by the media after the competitions in Finnish Ruka.
“Iversen would have been the last person I would have chosen to be in the spotlight that day. I felt sorry for him who immediately received a storm of questions about what he thought about being selected after a less than good Ruka weekend,” writes Nordvall in his column.
READ MORE: Ingemar Stenmark’s daughter Iza, 15, reveals the strong words about her father – is tired: “I don’t think that…”
The profile’s critique
Nordvall was also present at the time, and believes that you could clearly see that Emil Iversen was not comfortable in the situation.
“When Iversen left the room, I spontaneously said to him: “At least you have the support of the Swedes. You are strong in the head,” continues Nordvall.
The article continues after the picture.
He believes that the Norwegian confederation must take the signals that Iversen sends out seriously, and that every competition weekend cannot end with him completely drained of energy.
“If he is to maintain his physical and mental form throughout the season, the ski association should take his signals very seriously. There has been a lot of media and the knife to the throat of own, internal and external expectations”.
READ MORE: Ingemar Stenmark’s words about the great friendship with Börje Salming – reveals the unexpected help: “I always called”