Legkov Gets His Olympic Gold Back, Other Russians Reinstated: Facts And Observations

Legkov Gets His Olympic Gold Back, Other Russians Reinstated: Facts And Observations

Leaders, Newsfeed
This story needs to be split into two distinct parts: objective facts and subjective observations Here's a brief summary of facts the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upheld the appeals by Russian skiers and, effectively, reinstated them in international sport. Not all were cleared - but most recognizable names in skiing, including Sochi Olympic champ Alexander Legkov and silver medalis, ex-world champ Max Vylegzhanin are on the list of reinstated. Full list here FIS immediately removed all the restrictions put on those cleared – they are now free to participate in the World Cup etc. The International Olympic Committee (IOC), however, says that nothing changes when it comes to the Pyeonchang Olympics –“The result of the CAS decision does not mean that athletes from the group of 28 will…
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ISPO 2018: What We Saw, Noticed and Liked

ISPO 2018: What We Saw, Noticed and Liked

Gear News, Newsfeed
ISPO is huge. No photo or even video could convey ginormous size of the exhibition spread over 16 cavernous halls. It also would not let you forget for a second that industrial heart of the world these days is beating in China. And in India. And in Bangladesh. And Pakistan. [caption id="attachment_6585" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] Marwe had its people dressed in real cool looking vests with multiple pockets. Production perspectives uncertain as Asian manufacturers are only willing to produce in volume [/caption] Since cross country skiing is a niche sport, alas, Asian manufacturers who think in terms of volume, are not yet big in this sector. The things, however, are slowly changing – several Chinese producers had their products on display, mostly entry-level ski boots and rollerskis. ISPO is fundametally different…
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Secret Of Why Norway Is So Strong In Skiing Is Revealed

Secret Of Why Norway Is So Strong In Skiing Is Revealed

Newsfeed, Training & Outfitting
As 21 year old Johannes Klaebo was busy crushing his opponents in sprint freestyle finals in Seefeld this weekend, just a few hundred meters from the stadium Agnete was polishing her freestyle skiing skills too. And it's a really big question who's got more spectators – so good was Agnete with her moves, so determined and ready to win. Agnete is 5 and, like Johannes, she is also from Trondheim, Norway [caption id="attachment_6568" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] Agnete's and her 3 year old brother's skis are cooling off. A little boy prefers classic style as he finds it more prudent to ski along the tracks. [/caption] There will be no pictures of Agnete in this story because filming & posting pictures of children should be left to their parents should they so…
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Who Are We Going To Miss At Olympics – And Why Is It Totally Wrong

Who Are We Going To Miss At Olympics – And Why Is It Totally Wrong

Leaders, Newsfeed
Two weeks to go to the Olympic Games, cross country skiing fans start counting disappointments The modern sport is not about who wins – it's about who's got bigger personality, appeal, following. To simplify matters – if a skier got 50k subscribers on Instagram, that universal popularity tool, yet was not selected for Pyeonchang – it ain't good for the great sport of skiing. [caption id="attachment_6358" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] fans pack the stands to see not only competitions but first and foremost their heroes. It was plain and evident in Dresden that many ( most?) came to look at Jonannes Klaebo[/caption] Let's see who we'll miss in Korea The double crown goes to two Norwegians – but of course. With a deliberate, symbolic denial of the Olympics to, arguably, world's strongest…
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Ustiugov Not Invited To Participate in Olympics?

Ustiugov Not Invited To Participate in Olympics?

Leaders, Newsfeed
Sergey Ustiugov might miss the Olympic Games in Pyeonchang. That follows from leaked contents of the International Olympic Committee letter to the Russian Olympic Committee The document allegedly contains provisional list of Russian athletes that the IOC will invite to participate in the Games. After Russia was suspended last month, the IOC reserved the right to send personal invitations to Russian sportsmen it deems fit to partake under a neutral flag. Ustiugov, a double winner of the World Championships in Lahti in 2017 is absent from the list – along with the two other leading Russian athletes – Anton Shipulin, biathlon and Viktor Ahn , short-track speedskating. Neither of the three were ever mentioned in either the McLaren Report or Rodchenkov testimony as suspects. Neither of the three were ever…
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