Norway has closed its borders in the fight against virus mutations. As a result, competition in winter sports threatens, among other things, ski jumping and Nordic gathering to plunge into the water. The finals for biathlon and cross country skiing are also uncertain.
Norway closes its borders at night from Thursday to Friday, except for essential travel. “In practice, our borders are close to everyone who does not live in Norway,” Prime Minister Erna Solberg declared at a press conference on Wednesday. Only medical personnel from Sweden and Finland and the transportation of goods and personnel with vital functions are permitted to enter the country. Most migrant workers are not welcome at this time.
International athletes are also no longer permitted to enter Norway, which results in the cancellation of the Winter Sports competitions. The International Skating Union (FIS) announced Thursday that the championships scheduled in Lillehammer from February 12-14 have been canceled. The world championships were originally scheduled to be held in Lillehammer in early December, but has been postponed due to the pandemic. Just last week a new date came. Lillehammer is the city where the 1994 Winter Olympics were held.
The Norwegian government reviews its entry restrictions within two weeks. If the country closes its borders for a longer period of time, then competitions in other disciplines will also be at risk. The Cross Country Cup Finals will take place from 12-14 March in Oslo and from 19-21 March in Lillehammer. The season finale of the biathlon will take place in Holmenkollen from March 16-21.
