Several of the world’s best athletes right now are Norwegian.
But now SVT icon Jacob Hård is striking back against the words in Norway – about Sweden.
– I haven’t heard anything about it, he says to NRK.
Last year, after Armand Duplantis won both the WC gold and at the same time broke a new world record, many people predicted that it would be a grand slam at the Swedish Sports Gala. But Mondo was actually completely without prizes at the gala, and already a debate has flared up ahead of the upcoming sports gala. Namely, Mondo defended his gold – but there will be a hot fight against Daniel Ståhl in particular in the “male athlete of the year” category.
Total success
If it is a dilemma, it is easy to understand what a huge headache awaits for the same price, in Norway. Several of the world’s absolute best athletes right now are precisely Norwegian. During the winter, Johannes Hösflot Kläbo and Johannes Thingnes Bö completely dominate in cross-country skiing and biathlon. The latter broke, for example, a new World Cup record for the number of medals during one and the same championship last winter.
At the same time, the world’s best golfer right now is called Viktor Hovland, and in the world of football, Erling Haaland is coming off a record season in the Premier League, and in his first year at Manchester City, there were also three historic titles. In athletics, Jakob Ingebrigtsen and Karsten Warholm are completely superior – and so Holger Rune belongs to the absolute world elite in tennis. The Norwegian tokdominance has made Norway think about whether there is any jealousy or anger from Sweden.
READ MORE: Armand Duplanti’s powerful promise to the Swedish people – as long as “Mondo” will continue to compete in pole vaulting
Hard answer
NRK highlights the fact that Norway is currently incredibly far ahead in many sports, while Sweden is not at all as prominent. The Norwegian radio channel also hits out at SVT icon Jacob Hård, who, however, fights back – and strongly claims that there is no anger on Sweden’s part.
– I have not heard that anyone would be jealous or angry at Norway, but rather the opposite, says Hård.
Jacob Hård has followed Jakob Ingebrigtsen’s enormous progress in athletics with fascination. He is the reigning Olympic champion in 1,500 meters, and during the World Championships it was now a silver in the same distance. Jacob Hård can only be impressed by the sudden Norwegian success.
– I think that Ingebrigtsen is a great inspiration and role model because he comes from the Nordics and becomes the world’s best at middle and long distance. I know that he is a great role model and inspiration for Andreas Almgren, for example, says Hård.
READ MORE: Unexpected giant criticism – the coach rages against the mascot’s (!) actions during Daniel Ståhl’s gold hunt: “Not okay”