Both TV 2 and VG writes that the alpinist with both Norwegian and Brazilian passports is going to make a comeback as an alpinist for Brazil.
Braathen’s sponsor, Red Bull, will be central to the work on the new venture.
The 23-year-old, who has a Brazilian mother, is dependent on the Norwegian Skiing Association releasing his license in order for him to be able to compete for Brazil.
It is something the ski association is positively inclined to do, according to TV 2.
– We do not wish to make a statement at the present time, but refer to Thursday’s press conference, writes Espen Graff in the ski association in a message to NTB.
Braathen has called a press conference about his skiing future on Thursday.
The shock message
The 23-year-old shocked the whole of Idretts-Norge last autumn when he announced that he was retiring as a top alpinist.
Here he shares the shock message: – I’m hanging up
The reason was that he had lost the joy of skiing. The background was a long-standing and difficult conflict with the ski association over the national team agreement and the market rights of the athletes.
But ever since then there has been speculation about a potential comeback. Braathen has kept the door open and now it seems that it will be for Brazil.
The process of nation switching
The rules for changing representation countries are written on the International Ski Federation’s (FIS) pages.
It says that “FIS’ license year starts on 1 July and ends on 30 June of the following year”.
This means that Braathen can start representing Brazil from 1 July this summer. Applications to change nationality for the next license year must be submitted before 1 May.
It also states that “the athlete must attach the citizenship/passport for the country they wish to switch to. It requires a written agreement between the former union and the new union. The transfer also requires approval from FIS’s executive board”.