So far, the TV rights to the World Cup in Skating have not been sold in Norway this winter. Thus, Wiklund and his colleagues risk not being able to show themselves to the viewers this season.
It is negative for several reasons, among them the possibility of showing off sponsors.
– It’s a shame, and I think it’s a frightening development for winter sports in general. It’s about which sports will survive the next few years, says Wiklund to NTB.
– We have to look at how to reverse this development, so that it is not just football that is broadcast on TV in the future, she adds.
The skating star goes a long way in admitting that she feels a little resigned.
– It feels like a lost battle as a performer. I know that the association works against the media, the International Skating Federation and those relevant to them, but I don’t think I’m alone as an athlete in having given up that fight a little, says Wiklund.
Being hidden away
The 24-year-old is supported by teammate Peder Kongshaug.
– It is a bit critical for us as a sport. It is not good if we are hidden away on a YouTube channel, he says.
For her part, Wiklund emphasizes that her performance is not affected by the fact that the TV screens are black when she enters the ice.
– The motivation is to go fast regardless of whether they are watching at home, but it is very hard and boring to work so hard and for a long time to perform, only to feel that it is not appreciated at home in Norway, says the world champion.
– We don’t get the attention we feel we deserve. Last weekend we had four podium places in the World Cup, she points out further.
Feel less important
At the same time, Wiklund has noticed that there are other sports that get more attention than skating.
– The popular sports get more and more TV time, while those that do not appear in the media get less attention. It simply feels a bit unfair, says Wiklund.
The feeling she has about the lack of TV time is not good.
– It affects me in the sense that what we do feels more insignificant. The achievements are no less valuable, but it feels less important when there is no battle to secure these TV rights, says the 24-year-old.
This weekend is the World Cup round in Beijing.