Overview
- The eight-time Olympic champion criticized the federation on TV, calling the exclusion of a top performer from the national setup worrying and hopeless.
- National coach Per Arne Botnan defended the spring decision as part of a leadership plan for the women’s team and said they stand by it.
- Botnan said Knotten still receives some support such as medical care and ammunition checks, but her training plan is separate from the team’s.
- Knotten agreed with Bjørndalen’s assessment, saying the federation contributed nothing to her development this year as she trained largely on her own, including time in France.
- Despite the dispute, Knotten helped Norway’s relay finish second in Hochfilzen and placed ninth in the sprint, and she will continue to race for Norway in the World Cup and at the Olympics.