Environmental Group’s Demands Rejected by Ski Officials – Warns Protest at World Championship 5-Mile Race

An official press release from the environmental campaign, Folk mot fossilmakta, stated that the Ski World Championships in Trondheim have refused to meet their demands. The group had requested that all visible logos and advertisements of fossil fuel companies be removed, and that a short informational video promoting the phase-out of coal, oil, and gas be played during the championship.

In response, Folk mot fossilmakta has announced plans for a peaceful act of civil disobedience during the men’s five-mile race, scheduled for March 8 at Granåsen. According to spokesperson Ragnhild Kvist Simonsen, civil disobedience is seen as a legitimate democratic tool—protected by both the national constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights—to raise awareness about environmental issues that remain largely unaddressed.

The championship organizers, while acknowledging the broader climate concerns, have taken a firm stance against the proposed protest. In an official statement, the leadership emphasized their commitment to safety and the integrity of the competition, urging the environmental group to choose dialogue over actions that could endanger participants and spectators. The organizers expressed their ambition to deliver the most sustainable Ski World Championships ever.

Earlier, during a digital meeting with the group, Folk mot fossilmakta had presented two demands with a deadline of February 5. These included removing all fossil-related logos from the event and playing an educational video about the urgent need to end reliance on fossil fuels. The issue was also raised during the closing ceremony of the national skiing championship at Gåsbu.

The controversy unfolds as the Ski World Championships, spanning from February 26 to March 9 in the region, continue to prepare for an event that is both a high-level international competition and a platform for broader debates on sustainability in sports.