World Championships 2017 cash shortfall: Norwegians crowdfunding to help Bergen
After organisers of the 2017 World Championships in Bergen announced a cash shortfall, thousands of Norwegians have donated via crowd-funding
The Norwegian people have come to the aid of the organisers of the 2017 UCI Road World Championships, after a significant cash shortfall was reported.
Just a few days after the 2017 Worlds concluded in Bergen concluded on Sunday, September 24, the Norwegian Cycling Federation, Norges Cykleforbund, revealed that the event had run over budget.
However, the Norwegian people – and particularly those of Bergen – have rallied to ease the shortfall by making spontaneous donations.
"We in Bergen 2017 are completely overwhelmed, humble and proud of the Norwegian people his commitment to the bike world championships formidable action initiated by the people himself, it flows in with contributions from the whole country and we have now gotten in almost 3 million (Norwegian Kroner)," read the Facebook page for the 2017 Worlds.
"This is so special and we think we'll never experience anything similar-a small country with an amazing big commitment."
The organisers later posted bank details so that anyone wishing to donate could do so directly. At time of writing 'thousands' are reported to have made a donation from all over Norway.
According to local newspaper Bergens Tidende (BT), president of the Norwegian cycling federation Harald Tiedemann Hansen said that the event cost in the region of NOK 220 million to stage, exceeding the NOK 156 million budget.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Some of the shortfall is thought to be attributed to a weakening of the Norwegian currency against the Euro since the Worlds were awarded to Bergen, so the budgeted fee paid to the UCI for hosting the championships increased.
"It’s demanding to host a World Championships, but the public has been fantastic," Hansen told BT. "I hope those who have any influence can see that this has been a fantastic promotion of Bergen, of Western Norway and the whole country, and that they won’t let the cycling federation bleed afterwards."
A press conference is due to be held in Bergen on Thursday afternoon regarding the deficit, BT reports.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, an exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.
-
British Cycling to 'supercharge' Tours of Britain with new IMG deal
Global media company to help get medial and commercial rights into a "healthy place" in order to invest into other parts of BC
By Adam Becket Published
-
Zwift extends free Play Controllers worth $99 with all eligible Zwift Smart Trainer purchases until Monday 14th October
Deals Zwift is celebrating ten years of virtual cycling and everyone's invited
By Paul Brett Published
-
UCI Road World Championships 2024: Elite women's and men's time trial start times
The full rider lists and start times for the individual time trials in Zurich
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Jorgenson and Faulkner to lead a strong Team USA at UCI Road World Championships
The 2024 UCI Road World Championships are held in Zurich, Switzerland, September 21-29
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
‘Unprecedented’ television audiences revealed for cycling Super Worlds
Fans around the world watched more than 200 million hours in August
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Team USA at Road Worlds: Are Powless and Dygert our best hopes for a medal?
Here's who we'll be watching in the rainbow battles in Glasgow, Scotland.
By Henry Lord Published
-
Glasgow UCI World Championships bags Lidl partnership
Supermarket chain becomes official fresh food partner for the championships taking place in Glasgow in August
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Ukrainian cyclist disqualified from World Championships after blood sample result
Mykhaylo Kononenko's blood sample revealed the presence of the banned substance tramadol
By Tom Davidson Published
-
How many calories do you burn winning the World Championship road race?
It’s the equivalent of six margherita pizzas, according to Remco Evenepoel's Strava data
By Tom Davidson Last updated
-
Don’t expect too much from Zoe Bäckstedt, says teenager’s British Cycling coach
Junior academy coach Emma Trott has warned against piling pressure on the 18-year-old
By Tom Davidson Published