Bråten hires lawyer

– Personal attack and defamation

Inge BrÃ¥ten is very disappointed in Thomas Alsgaard and feels defamed by his former companion (Braten was the Norwegian men’s coach when Alsgaard won his first Olympic gold medal in the 1994 Olympics and Braten brought him in as a coach to the Swedish team two seasons ago).

– I’m very disappointed. I don’t understand what he wants with this, says BrÃ¥ten.

He was seeking legal advice from his lawyer today in regards to the difficult conflict.

– I feel that Thomas has made a personal attack on me and defamed me. I have therefore asked my lawyer for legal advice, says Braten.

– Alsgaard lacks knowledge

Bråten says that Thomas Alsgaard contradicts himself.

– Thomas is a direct cause why the structure in the team hasn’t been good, says BrÃ¥ten.

He claims that Thomas Alsgaard was the reason several camps and competition plans had to be changed during the season preparations, among others

– Thomas Alsgaard has always showed up to a set table at camps and competitions. He doesn’t know what’s required of organization in such a planning-phase. It’s about lack of knowledge, says BrÃ¥ten.

Wants an explanation

Inge Bråten is not planning on quitting as Swedish head coach, and today he got the answer he was hoping from the Swedish federation. He has their full support.

– We have complete confidence in BrÃ¥ten, since he is still in our organization. And that means complete confidence in Inge BrÃ¥ten, said Per-Ã…ke YttergÃ¥rd (of the Swedish ski federation) to NRK.

Inge Bråten now feels that the ball is in Thomas Alsgaard's hands.

– Do you want an apology from Alsgaard?

РNot necessarily. But I want an explanation why he is bringing this up, says Br̴ten.