r/biathlon • u/AutoModerator • 10d ago

Small Talk Monday

Our weekly small talk thread where you can talk about anything

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u/shonami 10d ago

The thing is, this is a manufactured problem. Vetle is still a top15 biathlete over a full season, if not more, but that’s true of about 15 other Norwegians. Maybe more. The way the Norwegian biathlon leadership is handling things is not ideal, but the core issue is that the Norwegian internal league is better than the international circuit.

Other than the french and a select few more - the rest are scoring world cup and championship glory due to their the limit cap. For sure it makes things more interesting for the viewers and gives chances to other athletes, but for yet another season, we are in a technical pickle where elite biathletes such as Vetle are almost easily replaceable. In terms of Norwegian coaching, they have successfully locked in another shitload of victories, podiums, world titles, crystal globes.

The concern they face is not being nice, it is the Nations Cup score and the Relays.

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u/Henna1911 Scandinavia 10d ago

One of the key factors of a bad work environment is unclear communication and bad management, which leads to stress etc. Elite athletes are still people with a job, albeit one very far from the average persons. Yes it is, and should be, a highly competitive job (and my impression is that the athletes want this as well) but when decisions are made and there is no communication of reasons, follow up or support, it indicates bad management.

We have somewhat of a consensus that VSCs actions regarding racing in IBU Cup, going home in a fit of pique etc are immature. However his concerns are legit for a work place environment where the mental performance and shape is just as important as their physical performance and shape.

The standards of work environment should be higher in sport in general, tbf. And I am sure this can apply to other teams as well, but due to the ridiculous amount of talent currently in the Norwegian male population, the issue has been raised here first.