To reply X Games on doping criticism – VG

The American organizers behind X Games has no plans to comply with the requirement of the Norwegian Ski Association and Anti-Doping Norway.

It makes TV ESPN clearly in an email to VG Monday afternoon.

“Since the inception of this project, and in accordance with the agreement for X Games Oslo, so we constantly communicated that X Games is an independent event with its own guidelines for competitions and the athletes’ states.

COMMENT: This is the quarrel about

yesterday it was announced that Norway Ski Federation withdraws from cooperation with X Games and co-organizer 2 TV, because Antidoping Norway are not allowed to test for all substances in the competition which starts in two days.

Vice President of ESPN, Tim Reed, arriving Oslo first tomorrow. It is he who is responsible for the channel’s commitment to the X Games.

TV2 CHIEF: Olav T. Sandnes.

Photo: Trond Solberg VG

Reed was not available for comment today, but in the email to VG makes the US television giant clear that doping rules will not change:

– under X Games in Oslo, the union operate as they have done for 20 years under the X Games events Worldwide. And we will gladly give away accreditations so they can operate “out of competition” testing. But we are not prepared to change the guidelines for X Games participants this time.

The American X Games concept held for the first time in Oslo in winter. The municipality has spat into NOK 42 million in support to get bruised in place. TV 2 and ESPN are collaborating on the event.

The channels have already plans for a new X Games on Norwegian snow in 2017. The question is how doping rules then becomes, is wide open.

– We regularly assesses the processes and our rules. If we believe that there is an actual problem, so we address it and make necessary changes, writes ESPN in the email.

Did you watch? Enraged anti-doping manager for X Games quarrel

VG also contacted TV2 CEO Olav T. Sandnes with eight written questions today. The answer came in the form of a press release because of what is described as’ very many media inquiries. “

The press release says Sandnes:

” TV2 has offered to finance and facilitating (doping, ed.’s note.) work, but this is a matter which concerns the general competition rules in the X Games. We have therefore also conveyed Norwegian Ski their demands on to ESPN which has the final say as owner of X Games events globally. “

The dispute in the last day does not affect the actual termination of the X Games. The event in Oslo goes as planned.

“And I think we both participants as spectators will appreciate when the event is on track to sell out. We have ensured that all participants in the ski and snowboard exercises have FIS license, and hence they can be tested. Beyond this, we as organizers expect all participants relate to Norwegian law when this event will be held on Norwegian soil “ says Olav T. Sandnes in TV2.