Biathlon legend Bjørndalen says he’s ashamed of Norway over Karoline Knotten ouster

Norwegian biathlon great Ole Einar Bjørndalen has condemned his home federation’s handling of Karoline Knotten, saying he is “a bit ashamed to be Norwegian” after the 30‑year‑old was ejected from the national team following her criticism of training methods.

According to Bjørndalen, it is “worrying and completely hopeless” that such a strong athlete receives no support in an Olympic season. Despite being, behind Maren Kirkeeide, the second‑best Norwegian woman in the current World Cup standings, Knotten must now pay for her own travel, flights, and training.

The Norwegian staff pushed back on the criticism. Head coach Per Arne Botnan told NRK that the team had reasons for how they structured the women’s program over the summer and autumn and that they stand by those decisions.

Bjørndalen doubled down, arguing Norway will need Knotten at the Olympic Games yet failed to support her up to the start of the season. Knotten remains eligible to start for Norway in the World Cup and at the Olympics; over the weekend she was part of the Norwegian women’s relay that finished second in Hochfilzen.

Knotten is not the first to challenge Norway’s system. In June, Filip Fjeld Andersen, who retired in April at 25, described it as a “ruthless system.”