Asking for Olympic Answer — “I’ve Got Tears in My Eyes Around the Clock”

Emil Iversen and Mattis Stenshagen have been under extreme pressure all season and proved themselves again on the Alpe Cermis climb in the Tour de Ski. Experts now say the national team management must give them the green light for the Winter Olympics in Milan–Cortina 2026.

Viaplay studio expert Helene Marie Fossesholm is clear: in her view Mattis and Emil are automatic picks for the Olympic squad. She argues that national championships (NM) are not equivalent to the Olympics and that World Cup results are what count when deciding selection.

Stenshagen has four World Cup podiums and finished second overall in this season’s Tour de Ski, while Iversen has three podiums and was fifth overall in the Tour. According to the team’s own selection rules those results should be enough to secure an Olympic spot compared to rivals, but over the weekend the leadership received criticism for not following its own regulations.

Fossesholm, who will be an expert for HBO Max during the Olympics, urged the team to give both athletes a decision as soon as possible:

“Mattis and Emil are, in my eyes, automatic in that squad now. You can say what you want about NM, but NM is not the Olympics. In my view you need World Cup results to go to the Olympics,” she said.

Stenshagen told VG he was frustrated after being told he must still travel to NM to prove himself further:

“If the form I’ve shown recently is some kind of fluke, then I don’t understand it,” Stenshagen said.

Viaplay expert Niklas Dyrhaug supports Fossesholm’s take: he believes the situation is clear and that Iversen and Stenshagen deserve to be picked now so they can prepare properly.

Iversen described the emotional toll the Olympic fight has taken after finishing third up the monster climb on Alpe Cermis:

“Now I’m very happy, tired and exhausted. I look forward to going home to my girlfriend,” he said to Viaplay. “It costs so much. I haven’t been home since October 5 and I’m exhausted. I have tears in my eyes almost around the clock — it’s not often, but it’s hard. It’s also fun when it works, but it costs.”

He added that if he is not selected now, after the season he’s had, he would consider quitting: “If I’m not picked for the Olympics now then you might as well shut the whole thing down. What more can I do?” Iversen said, also noting he plans to debrief with his psychologist.

Five Norwegian skiers have already received Olympic selection before the new year: Johannes Høsflot Klæbo, Harald Østberg Amundsen, Martin Løwstrøm Nyenget, Erik Valnes and Einar Hedegart. Three spots remain — two for distance skiers and one for a sprinter.

The story highlights the growing call from pundits and teammates for clarity so the athletes can finalise their preparations for Milan–Cortina 2026.