Scott Elliot kirjoitti:



There should be a medal awarded for good sportsmanship.

How about a medal for good sportmanship *and* team solidarity? My
nominees a

1) The Norwegian skijumpers, who volunteered to come to the rescue of
the Nordic combined team which faced a DNS in the team event due to
four of the five athletes falling victim to the virus doing its rounds
in Camp Norway. Since three skijumpers had a background in the combined
at junior level, this idea wasn't quite as preposterous as it might
seem. Alas, a quick look at the IOC rules showed that it would remain a
splendid gesture.

2) The Finnish combined team, who had been accomodated in Sestriere,
took a strong "All or no one"-stance when only two of its members were
offered a stay at a more suitable altitude (at 1500m instead of 2000m)
in Pragelato. Hannu Manninen, the best skier and the biggest guy in the
sport, suffered most for it and it quite probably cost him the medal
that has so far eluded him in individual competition. (When the story
came out afterwards, room for all guys was immediately found - in
quarters booked for the curling team...)


Anders