Robert Hovde:

> Stian Elvenes - the "6th best skater in Norway for the few
> past seasons" or similar - has decided to quit skating

That's very bad news.

Unfortunately things like this (talented skaters quitting long before they've
had a chance to reach their potential) have become the normal thing in Norwegian
skating.

Members of the 'inner circles' tends to put this down to 'bad attitude' among
the athletes. No-one seems to admit the obvious: That young athletes' 'attitude'
is a result of the attitude of the coaches, organizers etc.

In short, when the 'ideology' of the federation seems to be that you're a
worthless loser if you're not instantly among the 20 best skaters in the world,
then kids who don't instantly become a top 20 skater will most probably give
up...

A country with thousands of talents might afford to follow a policy like that;
at least for a limited period. A country with only 4.5 million people to chose
from, can't afford it.

Lars Finsen:

> It's because the skaters want to have some time off to prepare for
> the rest of the season, otherwise they will fall behind all the other
> skaters who are taking time off to prepare for the rest of the season.

The last years a considerable part of the Norwegian skaters have actually taken
the main part of the season off to prepare for the next season. No use to
compete in February and March, when everything is decided in November...

-------------
T.B.Hansen