Post by Jaga on Feb 21, 2022 23:20:26 GMT -7
Norway has only 5 mln people, but it is wealthy, almost everybody does cross-country skiing and winter sports, and of course it has a good weather and good environment with mountains and snow fields as well as icy lakes. Below is more about its great success:
www.morningbrew.com/daily/stories/2022/02/20/why-is-norway-so-dang-good-at-the-winter-olympics
Why is Norway so dang good at the Winter Olympics?
It takes a unique approach to youth sports.
youremail@domain.com
The 2022 Winter Olympics have come to a close, and once again Norway topped the leaderboard, with 37 medals. Four years ago in Pyeongchang, Norway crushed the competition with 39, and it boasts more total Winter Olympics medals than any other country.
But more people live in New York City than in Norway. So what’s its secret?
First of all, Norway’s rich: With a per capita GDP of $67,389, it’s the seventh wealthiest country in the world. Lots of money is necessary to succeed in winter sports that require expensive gear, cutting-edge technology, and expert training (in the US, a junior ski racing career can run $500,000).
Norway is also cold (good for winter sports, we hear) and has a strong culture of skiing—70% of Norwegians own cross-country skis, according to a 2013 survey.
But perhaps what sets Norway apart is its ability to create enthusiastic athletes from a young age. Instead of locking children into high-stakes competitions as youngsters, Norway invites them to dabble in a variety of sports with only one goal: have fun. The government takes this so seriously that it crafted a document called “Children’s Rights in Sport,” which states that “children should receive a positive experience every time they participate in sport.”
At the more than 12,000 athletic clubs across the country, championships are not held until kids hit age 13.
Big picture: While Norway excels at winter sports, it also punches above its weight in other athletic disciplines. Golfer Viktor Hovland and tennis player Casper Ruud are both in the top 10 of their sports globally, while Magnus Carlsen has been ranked No. 1 in chess since 2011. And yes, that’s an athletic discipline.
www.morningbrew.com/daily/stories/2022/02/20/why-is-norway-so-dang-good-at-the-winter-olympics
Why is Norway so dang good at the Winter Olympics?
It takes a unique approach to youth sports.
youremail@domain.com
The 2022 Winter Olympics have come to a close, and once again Norway topped the leaderboard, with 37 medals. Four years ago in Pyeongchang, Norway crushed the competition with 39, and it boasts more total Winter Olympics medals than any other country.
But more people live in New York City than in Norway. So what’s its secret?
First of all, Norway’s rich: With a per capita GDP of $67,389, it’s the seventh wealthiest country in the world. Lots of money is necessary to succeed in winter sports that require expensive gear, cutting-edge technology, and expert training (in the US, a junior ski racing career can run $500,000).
Norway is also cold (good for winter sports, we hear) and has a strong culture of skiing—70% of Norwegians own cross-country skis, according to a 2013 survey.
But perhaps what sets Norway apart is its ability to create enthusiastic athletes from a young age. Instead of locking children into high-stakes competitions as youngsters, Norway invites them to dabble in a variety of sports with only one goal: have fun. The government takes this so seriously that it crafted a document called “Children’s Rights in Sport,” which states that “children should receive a positive experience every time they participate in sport.”
At the more than 12,000 athletic clubs across the country, championships are not held until kids hit age 13.
Big picture: While Norway excels at winter sports, it also punches above its weight in other athletic disciplines. Golfer Viktor Hovland and tennis player Casper Ruud are both in the top 10 of their sports globally, while Magnus Carlsen has been ranked No. 1 in chess since 2011. And yes, that’s an athletic discipline.
