46. FORUM NORDICUM in Cavalese – a first look at the Olympic Winter Games

With around 80 colleagues from more than a dozen countries, the 46th FORUM NORDICUM this autumn was as well attended as it has been for a long time. This was also because Cavalese in Trentino offered a look at preparations for the Olympic Winter Games.  And they certainly required attention, as after visiting the sports facilities and infrastructure in the Flaimstal – where the Nordic skiing competitions will take place – it can be stated: There is still a lot of work ahead for the hosts.

The cross-country skiing stadium presented itself as a construction site, with workers busy at work. However, to see bulldozers and excavators still on the track was quite surprising. The ski jumping facilities in Predazzo, on the other hand, were already ready for competitions. The summer Grand Prix in ski jumping and Nordic combined served as an Olympic test event. It was unfortunate that three athletes sustained serious knee injuries after falls, but this was not due to the condition or profile of the normal hill, but – according to experts – attributed to the changes in equipment before the season began. Even in Predazzo, the few visitors experienced competitions on a construction site. The sports area is complete, while the spectator area still needs to be finished. It is already evident: The pathways between Lago di Tesero (cross-country), Predazzo (ski jumping), and the media centre in Cavalese could become bottlenecks during the games.

The forum itself once again offered a wide range of information ahead of the upcoming winter season. In addition to the International Biathlon Union (IBU) and the International Ski Federation (FIS), the International Luge Federation (FIL) also presented itself. Due to illness, the premiere of the Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) had to be postponed to next year at the FORUM NORDICUM. However, the declaration of intent to want to be permanently involved in the forum was received with joy by colleagues.

Thematically, it was – once again – about the future of winter sports, about rule changes, innovations in the individual sports, but also about the changes in professional life and their consequences. It was noted with regret that reporting methods are changing.  Whether due to cost or personnel reasons – the work on site is increasingly taking a back seat; ‚off the table‘ is the new magic formula. This, of course, has implications for the specialization of colleagues who, due to a lack of opportunities for contact, can research current specialized information less and less.

The 47th FORUM NORDICUM will take place next year in Nove Mesto. The cross-country skiing and biathlon stronghold in the Czech Republic will hopefully welcome as many guests as Cavalese did this year. And with their excellent organization, the Italian hosts led by Marica Defrancesco have set an exceptionally high standard for future organizers.