Trondheim Ski World Championships Sparks Outrage Over Lack of Women's Events on International Women's Day

The Ski World Championships in Trondheim have faced backlash following the announcement that no women will compete on International Women's Day—March 8. This decision has left many athletes, especially Therese Johaug, feeling disappointed and frustrated.

"What happened there?! I thought the 50km would take place on Women’s Day; how much better would that have been?" Johaug expressed incredulity at the scheduling, emphasizing the absurdity of featuring male events on a day set aside to recognize women’s accomplishments.

The agenda for March 8 is filled with men's events across various disciplines, including cross-country skiing, Nordic combined, and ski jumping. In a passionate call for change, Johaug stated, "That's a call to change!" urging organizers to reconsider the schedule.

Responding to the criticism, the director of the championships, Åge Skinstad, explained that the timetable was shaped by logistical challenges. He claimed that more male specialists were available for the events compared to their female counterparts. Acknowledging the importance of International Women’s Day, Skinstad defended the current programming, asserting a commitment to fairness in terms of distance and prize money.

Johaug remains steadfast in her belief that the inaugural women’s 50km race at such a championship should be held on March 8. She advocates for equality within the sports arena, bringing attention to the ongoing struggle for gender parity in competitive athletics and the pressing need for equal opportunities for female athletes.