Johannes Høsflot Klæbo (26) has decided to leave the national team next season.

In the press release, it seems that the main reason is the events of the last few weeks surrounding the Ski Association.

Last week, VG reported that the association was in a difficult financial situation, which it said had resulted in having to reduce the number of places on the Norwegian national cross-country team for the upcoming season.

Klæbo said that his departure meant that the Ski Association now had the opportunity to reduce costs and better spend money on other athletes.

– Yes, now they also don’t have to pay for my stay at altitude. I have several colleagues in the national team who I feel have been mistreated in this selection process. I will remain in close contact with my national team-mates, even though I am no longer part of the national team, said Klæbo, explaining that decisions in the first tier apply to the upcoming season.

Also read: Full discord between Klæbo and the national team: – I would probably use the word shame

The Ski Association wants to continue Klæbo

The head of cross-country skiing at the Norwegian Ski Association, Espen Bjervig, did not yet respond to Nettavisen’s questions late Sunday, but said in a press release they were informed by Klæbo’s father, Haakon, of the decision Sunday afternoon.

Bjervig said that they wanted Trønder to be with them in the national team, but that they respected the decision.

– Johannes previously, also in the media, communicated that further investment could be made outside the national team, and we respect this decision. At the same time, it is important to emphasize that we naturally want to have him in the national team. We are sure to make as many arrangements as possible for Johannes next season as well, said cross-country manager Bjervig in a press release.

Distance coaches Arild Monsen and Eirik Myhr Nossum have not yet responded to Nettavisen’s questions late on Sunday.

The head of the cross-country committee, Torbjørn Skogstad, also said that they hoped Klæbo would continue with the national team with predictability and a good framework.

– At the same time, he has made it clear that the alternative is to stand outside the team and we respect that, said Skogstad.

Also read: Had Klæbo become too proud of himself?

Fear of association income

Cross-country expert Petter Soleng Skinstad was stunned at the time it was presented.

– It’s quite dramatic. It’s been talked about for a long time, but the fact that it has to come the day before they feature the national team is shocking, Skinstad told Nettavisen.

Cross-country skiing experts further said that it was bad news for the Norwegian Ski Association. He believed they would do well in a sporting manner, but feared the commercial ramifications.

– How big is the loss?

– Then we are talking about the failure of millions. Many sponsors may be coming in mainly because of Klæbo, so it will be very interesting to follow that development, said Skinstad, and added:

– It may not matter in the short term sporting, but long term earning potential can be seriously impacted.

Also read: VAR decision aroused outrage: – I don’t understand it

Klæbo: – Not economically profitable

Klæbo trains a lot on his own in connection with the winter WC season. He also intends to continue this at altitude into the coming winter.

– I know that I will not be participating in most meetings until next season, due to my commitment to altitude. This means that I will take my place in the national team without much attendance. In that case, it is also best that I give up my place in the national team, he said.

The 26-year-old will be financing the venture himself in the future. He has made his own decisions, and there should be no negotiations between the association and Klæbo about next year’s national team schedule.

– There have never been negotiations between the union and me on this issue. “I have done what I believe is the right thing to do because of the situation with the association and the national team,” said the 26-year-old.

Klæbo was clear that he would not benefit financially from the election, and clarified that that was not why he made the decision either.

– Financially, maybe it would be better for me to be part of the national team, but I haven’t thought about finances now that I have left the national team, said Høsflot Klæbo.

The national team for the upcoming season will be presented at a press conference in Holmenkollen on Monday.