On the race: It looked like he was close to full speed up to the last 50 meter. Then he slowed down. He stated in an interview with a podcast ahead of WC that he aimed for sub-45 in WC so he also secured his spot in the Olympics next year. This was important for him as he is in top shape ahead of WC. So he probably aimed for 44 high, but as he is stronger than earlier in the season his time ended up 44 low. He looked very surprised when seeing the time.
On dopic: Please stop the bullsh*t around doping. He is not doped - I can guarantee that. Norwegians are just very good at sports. Or do you think all the below also is doped? :) - Haaland (top 3 soccer players in the world) - Magnus Carlsen (World's best chess player last 10 year) - Casper Ruud (3 grand slam finals) - Hovland (Top 5 golf player) - Warholm - Kristian Blummenfelt (reigning WC & Olympic winner in Triathlon) - Klæbo (best XC skier in the world by far) - Thingnes Bø (best biathlon skier in the world by far) - Magnus Ødegaard (captain Arsenal & top 10 in PL)
When a national group shows a significant collective improvement in performance that is regarded by antidoping as a red flag.
So you really believe that there is a systematic, national doping scheme behind the diverse group of world-leading athletes across sports like soccer, tennis, golf, triathlon, biathlon, XC skiing, alpine, beach volley, chess, track&field?
In a country like Norway which is ranked as #4 nation on the "non-corruption index", is known for its transparency, and that have had very few doping cases over the last 50 years.
If you say "everyone is protected", please also remember Norway banned Therese Johaug - their greatest woman XC skiing athlete from the 2018 Olympics - after using Trofodermin on her sunburned lips in Italy.
When a national group shows a significant collective improvement in performance that is regarded by antidoping as a red flag.
So you really believe that there is a systematic, national doping scheme behind the diverse group of world-leading athletes across sports like soccer, tennis, golf, triathlon, biathlon, XC skiing, alpine, beach volley, chess, track&field?
In a country like Norway which is ranked as #4 nation on the "non-corruption index", is known for its transparency, and that have had very few doping cases over the last 50 years.
If you say "everyone is protected", please also remember Norway banned Therese Johaug - their greatest woman XC skiing athlete from the 2018 Olympics - after using Trofodermin on her sunburned lips in Italy.
Kinda dumb. The way I see it if this guy is doping, the competitors from even more dubious nations and a track history of doping are doping even more. So in the end, Havard is more talented than them no matter what.
When a national group shows a significant collective improvement in performance that is regarded by antidoping as a red flag.
So you really believe that there is a systematic, national doping scheme behind the diverse group of world-leading athletes across sports like soccer, tennis, golf, triathlon, biathlon, XC skiing, alpine, beach volley, chess, track&field?
In a country like Norway which is ranked as #4 nation on the "non-corruption index", is known for its transparency, and that have had very few doping cases over the last 50 years.
If you say "everyone is protected", please also remember Norway banned Therese Johaug - their greatest woman XC skiing athlete from the 2018 Olympics - after using Trofodermin on her sunburned lips in Italy.
Doping to be widespread doesn't need to be state-sponsored. Kenya shows that. If drugs are effective, available and difficult to detect then athletes will use them, aided by coaches, trainers and physicians. In some countries this will be more sophisticated than others and harder to detect. It is driven by the desire to succeed, the recognition that this is increased by drugs, and an acceptance that it is a necessary part of excelling. This has become more so with the professionalism in sports. For many their livelihoods are at stake. The world of a professional athlete is not that of a fan, who still resides in a bygone era.
This post was edited 1 minute after it was posted.
Based on the first heat as well as the semi, I think he is a candidate for the bronze medal. He got a slower start in the semi vs his first run, so with some proper rest and a good start in the final we might see a low 44
My take is that in the first round he went prerry much max and payed for it somewhat today. Same in the semis, but now EVERYBODY went max which evens out the playing field a bit.
He may come last but he may also get a medal and actually get gold. No, I dont believe he actually will, but with Garner out this is all of a sudden wide open