Emil Iversen was relentless against the management of the national team when he was eliminated from the 15-kilometer classic at the Olympics in Beijing. He felt stabbed in the back.

Pål Golberg hopes the discontent is kept internal, while Johannes Høsflot Klæbo calls it “completely behind the mark” that such an episode takes place in the Olympic season.

He believes that there is a shared responsibility between management and practitioners.

With the Olympics in the distance, the cross-country national team evaluated last week’s season. All noise in the vicinity of the Iversen wreck, as well as communications with management, is recorded.

– Everyone understands that no one wants that noise. One can point to many strange things as the cause, but all we can do is get inside ourselves. Then we had to record what we were doing before the pandemic, Bjervig told NRK – and explained what he meant:

– To be better at team building, better at media management and thinking about the consequences of what is said and not said.

Concrete steps are now being taken to prevent them from ending up in the same situation.

– We started with media training before summer. “We are in dialogue with Olympiatoppen and talking about the team process and how we have to do it,” said Bjervig.

The cross-country manager found the evaluation open and honest, and he believes it lays a good foundation for how they will continue to work. And one thing he is clear about:

– We don’t want it like the Olympics.

Emil Iversen has given clear feedback that management should speak with one voice when they take out a team. The reason he reacted so strongly to the accident at the Olympics was because he had a messy process.

– Maybe different opinions and different things said. That’s when the problem arose. If they say one thing and support it, then I’ll get nothing, says Iversen, pointing out that “crushing is part of the game”.

Iversen: – I’m always honest

What happened to me is very special, but other than that, there are some complaints. The drawdown is correct, so it’s not as bad as it should be.

The outspoken profile didn’t necessarily find him so stupid that they’re now taking a minor course in media management, though he describes himself as an expert.

– The Norwegian Ski Association is popular to write about, so there’s not much wrong before the headlines.

– Do you think you need it?

– I don’t feel I need it. I’m a media expert. I’m always honest and sometimes it reciprocates. As long as I’m just myself and not a boss or anything like that, it’ll be fine, Iversen smiled at NRK.

– We’re an honest bunch

– Personally, I think you might benefit from a little refresher on how you appear in the media, says Sjur Røthe.

Vossingen is a trustee for the men’s national team and views the initiative positively, especially given the great interest in cross-country skiing.

– I think there are some wise people who want to show their sport from the good side, so I really believe that we can benefit from a media management refresh.

– We’re very good at taking care of each other. We are a group of honest people who like to shake things up if anything. We have to be honest with each other and let them know if something is up, Røthe said.

PS! Six sprint national teams have been selected and seven for the all-round national team in the men’s side. Eleven pieces have been placed on the woman’s side. Read more about the outlet here.