Norwegian cross-country skier: “The Olympic dream is long gone”

Norwegian cross-country skier Iver Tildheim Andersen says he has abandoned hopes of competing at the Milan–Cortina 2026 Olympics after Sunday’s home World Cup race in Granåsen.

The 25‑year‑old placed sixth in the men’s 10 km freestyle, the same distance that will feature at the Olympics in February. He was the best of the non‑Norwegian opposition—beating, among others, teammate Johannes Høsflot Klæbo, who finished seventh—and ended just 11 seconds from the podium.

Speaking to VG after the race, Andersen was blunt about his prospects: “The Olympic dream is long gone. I’m not going to the Olympics. Half the team would have to drop out. I’ll aim for other things.”

Norway is expected to receive eight men’s quota spots for the Winter Games, and internal competition for those places intensified after the Granåsen race, with several athletes strengthening their cases. The article notes the fierce selection battle as the team looks toward February’s Games in Italy.