By Nick Butler

Børre Rognlien has announced that he will not stand again as President of the NOC ©TwitterNorwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sports (NIF) President Børre Rognlien will not stand for re-election when his term ends next year, claiming threats he received during Oslo's failed bid for the 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics was a major reason for this decision. 


His decision comes three weeks after Oslo officially withdrew from the 2022 race - leaving Almaty and Beijing as the only remaining candidates - following a sustained opposition movement, leading to the Norwegian Government to refuse to back the campaign.   

The 69-year-old, involved in Norwegian sport for over 50 years and who succeeded Tove Paule as NIF President in 2011 having previously led the Norwegian Skating Federation, told Aftenposten he is not stepping down directly because of Oslo's, but more because of the personal threats he received.

One of these threats has been reported to the police, with Rognlien claiming the pressure on him and his family was simply too much.

He will step down next June, but does plan to continue some involvement in sporting activities in the country, through working as a volunteer.

The decision comes three weeks after Oslo's withdrawal from the race for the 2022 Olympics and Paralympics, which followed much popular opposition ©FacebookThe decision comes three weeks after Oslo's withdrawal from the race for the 2022 Olympics and Paralympics, which followed much popular opposition ©Facebook



An NIF spokesperson told insidethegames this afternoon that the decision of Rognlien, a former journalist, military officer and politician for the Conservative Party, follows a thorough consideration that has been made over a period of time. 

The NIF Sitting Board will meet with members of the Election Committee this week to give feedback and target potential replacements, before National Federations give their suggestions next month.

Among names to have been muted so far are three members of the current Board in Dag Vidar Hanstad, Tom Tvedt and Jorodd Asphjell.

The new President is due to be selected at the NIF General Assembly next summer.

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