Eight of the 16 athletes in the Olympic squad do not come from the Norwegian national team system. At the 2022 Olympics, all 16 were selected from the elite national teams. Now, this year’s Olympic breakthrough star is sending a clear message to the national team leadership.

In this year’s Olympic squad, three of the eight men come from different private teams. On the women’s side, only three athletes come from the elite national team. In total, that means only half of the Norwegian squad comes from the elite national team structure. If you also consider that Kristine Stavås Skistad and Johannes Høsflot Klæbo train only sparingly with the national team, the number rises to 10 out of 16.

See the complete selection list below.

Now, both this season’s sensation Einar Hedegart and skiing star Petter Northug are sounding the alarm.

Also Read: Hedegart reveals insane VO2 numbers

No contact

During the Norwegian Championships (NM) in Steinkjer, Northug said that almost no one from the Ski Association has contacted him to make use of his expertise.

That contrasts with this season’s rising star Einar Hedegart, who competes for the headline-making Team Anlegg Øst Entreprenør.

“When half of the Olympic squad comes from teams outside the national team, I think the national teams might need to start asking a few questions and show a bit more humility,” Hedegart told Langrenn.com after winning NM gold in Steinkjer.

Hedegart himself is constantly looking for advice and details that can help him take another step forward. Here, Petter Northug is an important sparring partner, and Hedegart says Northug is generous with sharing his experience and knowledge.

“Petter Northug is someone I talk to a lot and get plenty of advice from. But I had to make the first move. It wasn’t like he just came up to me. Again, I think the national teams might need to start asking questions and show a bit more humility,” Hedegart says.

Nor has Hedegart’s coach, Emil Hosøy, experienced any interest or curiosity from the national team.

Have they asked what you’re doing?

“No, they haven’t,” Hosøy told Langrenn.com.

In addition to Hedegart and Karoline Simpson-Larsen, who have been selected for this year’s Olympics, Karoline Grøtting also competes for Team Anlegg Øst Entreprenør. In the space of two weeks, the 24-year-old from Elverum has gone from being almost unknown to becoming one of the most significant talking points in Norwegian cross-country skiing.

Read More: “What we’re doing definitely isn’t found in any training textbook”

“No longer the best offer”

The former skiing star believes the situation and current developments threaten the national team model. He argues that the national team no longer offers the best package, either on the sporting or commercial front, and that the Ski Association has failed to keep up.

“At one time, being selected for the national team was the most attractive sporting option for elite athletes, development athletes, and juniors alike. That’s no longer the case, and this new direction has come very quickly,” Northug told NTB ahead of Tuesday’s Olympic selection.

National team leadership disagrees

The Norwegian national team leadership does not agree that the national team model is under threat, nor that they are out of touch with developments.

“We don’t have room for everyone who is good enough on our teams. It’s absolutely positive that so many athletes are stepping forward,” said national team director Per Elias Kalfoss.

“I also hope it gives many athletes confidence that it’s possible to break through and be involved, even if you didn’t make it through the eye of the needle to be selected for the national team the year before.”

National team coach Eirik Myhr Nossum does not see private teams as competitors either. He believes it is positive that talent is being developed across multiple environments and that the Association benefits from private teams’ work when making selections.

“It’s absolutely not about feeling resentful. It’s more about wanting those who are selected to ski as fast as possible, regardless of who they are or where they come from,” Nossum told NTB.

Norway’s squad for the 2026 Winter Olympics

Women

• Kristine Stavås Skistad
• Astrid Øyre Slind
• Kristin Austgulen Fosnæs
• Milla Grosberghaugen Andreassen
• Heidi Weng
• Karoline Simpson-Larsen
• Julie Bjervig Drivenes
• Ingrid Bergene Aabrekk

Men

• Harald Østberg Amundsen
• Erik Valnes
• Einar Hedegart
• Emil Iversen
• Johannes Høsflot Klæbo
• Martin Løwstrøm Nyenget
• Mattis Stenshagen
• Oskar Opstad Vike

Read More: Norwegian cross-country skiing team confirmed for the 2026 Winter Olympics

The 2026 Olympic Games will take place from February 6 to 22.

Also Read: Program for cross-country skiing at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics

Are you interested in traditional cross-country skiing? Click HERE and read more about it.