– It is life-threatening – NRK Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule

The Belgian biathlete Thierry Langer, who went on the second stage, did not have a good day at work. First, he fell into the rut after stepping on a trail marker, then landed squarely on his back. It didn’t just go beyond the staff he broke, but also the weapon he landed on.

When he arrived at the stand for his standing shooting, he broke all kinds of regulations regarding gun safety. Just look at these pictures:

Shaked his head

– No no no. What in the world..

That was the immediate reaction of Johannes Dale when NRK showed him the video above.

– I think it’s bad enough that you aim the race at your head, it’s one of the worst things you do and something you absolutely don’t do as a biathlete. It’s not good to see. The first point in the textbook for a biathlete is to treat the weapon with respect, he says, and adds:

– It’s phy-phy.

Belgium did not receive any punishment from the IBU after this situation. This was confirmed by Borut Nunar, race director in the IBU, to NRK.

– There are some athletes who have problems with the handling of weapons, and that is something we are continuously working on. There will always be someone operating on the border. But the rules are simple and the regulations good enough, he says, and acknowledges that the incident with Langer cannot be described as “pretty”.

The main character himself, Thierry Langer, himself believes that it was safe, while at the same time he understood that it did not necessarily look very good.

– There is nothing to try at home. It was safe then and there because I removed the magazine first, but it can send “dangerous signals”. You probably shouldn’t keep your rifle like that, says Langer to NRK, who himself believes that the regulations work well and that safety is good.

Although these were quite unique images, the situation itself is not unique. NRK’s ​​experts and reporters have repeatedly noted the violations of rules on weapon safety.

Now they are fed up.

– There is a lack of culture in the IBU with regard to weapon safety. Range officials do not sanction athletes who perform dangerous weapons drills. What we saw now is a consequence of this, because there is no culture to address gun safety more often, says biathlon expert Harri Luchsinger.

– This is a growing problem. More and more biathletes are doing it, and it’s not good. But it comes from those who have responsibilities not following through and just letting things pass. It is life-threatening, says Ola Lunde.

Here is Simon Eder’s weapon aimed at the officials behind the stands:

To be washed

The two NRK experts have on repeated occasions recently seen what can only be described as loose weapons handling at the stand.

NRK’s ​​reporters have gone through several races and found several photos that show clear violations of the International Biathlon Union’s (IBU) regulations.

In the category “Competition rules”, section 8.5.1 of the IBU’s regulations, it says:

“Making movements with the rifle that may endanger others or the weapon bearer, or that may be perceived as dangerous by others, is prohibited. At all times, athletes are responsible for the actions they themselves or the rifle take.”

Violation of these rules shall result in disqualification, it is further stated in the IBU regulations.

One of those who have broken the regulations at the stand is the German biathlete Justus Strelow. NRK spoke to him after Sunday’s pairs relay in Pokljuka and showed him the pictures from his series:

Then he had not been made aware that the stock exchange was pointing towards other people.

– Thank you for showing me this. It can obviously be dangerous. I usually have my hand on top of the rifle so that doesn’t happen, but I think I lost my grip and the gun swung around. If the officials see it and are strict, there could be consequences, so thank you for pointing it out, he says to NRK’s ​​reporter.

He further says that he cannot remember that anyone has been sanctioned for it in the past. It causes Ola Lunde to be stumped, all the while the rule violations occur at regular intervals.

– There are people and judges here and a clear set of rules. This is the reason why they send judges around and have race directors to follow up on such things. Now they have to step up and do their job, says Lunde.

Last year, French Emilien Jacquelin’s handling of weapons was called “a mortal sin” by NRK’s ​​commentators:

– Not focused on it

Harri Luchsinger, who previously worked in the Norwegian Biathlon Union, says that he sees violations of these regulations far too often, and that the IBU has not taken action in the same way as Norway did.

– A few years ago we tackled it in the Norwegian Cup. Then we punished practitioners who pointed the stock exchange in the wrong direction. Then there was talk of from a couple to five athletes per race. After two or three years of this, the dangerous drills in the Norwegian Cup disappeared. It shows that sanctions work, he says, adding:

– In the World Cup, there are a lot of dangerous tricks. The IBU is not focused on it and I think they should do more. There is a reason why the legislation is the way it is. Gun safety is important, and it’s about minimizing the risk that something wrong could happen.

Vegar Rolfsrud, head of distribution and recruitment at the Norwegian Ski Federation (NSSF), emphasizes to NRK that they have a great focus on that in Norway.

– We have our own safety rules when it comes to weapons, and regularly review those rules. And we start with it from the age of 9-10, he says.

In NSSF’s competition rules, section 8.5.4, the following is stated about weapon handling:

“The weapon must always point towards the targets or upwards.”

Furthermore, it is stated under section 11.3.4 that breaking the safety rules shall result in disqualification. Just as in the IBU regulations.

During Sunday’s pairs relay, Italian Didier Bionaz pointed the stock straight at Swedish Jesper Nelin on the stand. This also violates the regulations and will result in punishment.

When asked about the rule violations in the World Cup, Rolfsrud says:

– It is important in terms of being good role models as well. It is the heroes and role models who are on the TV, so it is better for us if everyone is on the same page.

NRK has presented the criticism and images of athletes who break the regulations of the IBU. The association says they are following closely, and in a statement they write:

– The safety of everyone who participates in our events, especially at the shooting range, is one of the most important things for the IBU. Shooting rules, use of the exchange and enforcing the rules are followed up and discussed by the IBU and the technical committee, and are regularly a topic at our evaluation meetings. The IBU has not received any complaints regarding the shooting rules, nor inquiries or wishes to change the rules. The IBU places great emphasis on the handling of rifles for both junior and child athletes.