X Games as scheduled despite breach of contract – Dagsavisen

By Ines Margot Zander

 
 

Ski Federation in a press release that one of the preconditions for the agreement with TV 2 was that it was conducted doping tests during the imminent event in Oslo. The same was that X Games organizers follow the rules of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

 
 

Sun delivered associated a letter to the channel where they informs that the agreement is revoked.

 
 

– For Norwegian Ski Federation is impossible to have an agreement with the organizer when not carried out doping tests in connection with competitions. NSF has zero tolerance for doping, and it is fundamental and vital to us that WADA Code and sports legislation for doping tests are followed at all sports events in Norway, says ships resident Erik Røste.

 
 

Your partner

 
 

WADA code means that athletes will be tested in competitions. Since X Games are not on the international fixtures, it is up to the organizers even obtaining authority stating that athletes should be tested. It has not TV2′s co-host ESPN acquired, newspaper VG reports.

 
 

– We see it as a lack of willingness from ESPN, says Røste the newspaper.

 
 

Ski Federation writes that TV2 has lately been working to put in place the required doping tests ahead of the event which runs from 24th to 28th February.

 
 

TV 2 has teamed up with ESPN to send competitions, and there will be Americans who do not have the required doping tests.

 
 

– This is a matter which concerns the general competition rules in the X Games. We have conveyed NSF their demands on to ESPN which has the final say as owner of X Games events, says TV2 CEO Olav T. Sandnes VG.

 
 

Should be tested

 
 

Sandnes says that TV2 wants antidoping work in line with what is normal in Norway.

 
 

– All participants can be tested, because everyone who participates in Oslo X Games has FIS license, says TV2 boss.

 
 

Despite Ski Federation has suspended the deal goes arrangement as planned.

 
 

The agreement between the Norwegian Ski Federation and TV2 was signed in April 2015, and cooperation will be one of the reasons why the Municipality of Oslo decided to allocate NOK 42 million to X Games event.

 
 

Norwegian Snowboard Association is also involved in cooperation and snowboard president Ola Keul says that it is not necessary to follow the FIS footsteps.

 
 

– We have had good cooperation with TV2 on X Games that begin in three days, with eight athletes from snowboard team at the starting line. We want to support our eight participating national team athletes in the best possible way. Whether we are or will be in agreement, has no influence on the outcome of this particular issue, says Keul. (© NTB)