Gneist Arena (BA): One of the white-clad zealots is Rolf Haugsvær. He has been a volunteer since 1960.
– Everyone has a hobby, right, he explains about the commitment.
He is a former 100-metre sprinter, who boasts that he has run against Trond Mohn.
– But he beat me, laughs Haugsvær, whom everyone in the break room just calls “Rolfen.”
Arthur Lillefosse sits in the “call room” where the athletes have to get their equipment approved. In Gneist Arena, only so-called “Christmas tree spikes” of 6 mm are approved.
Photo: Helen Wesnes
Fewer volunteers
Both Haugsvær and
– There were several before, that was it. There are so many offers now, says Haugsvær.
– It is more difficult to get the younger ones involved, there are so many other activities, Lillefosse points out.
They are not quite sure what can solve the problem, but Haugsvær points to one thing that is positive for Gneist.
– We will organize the indoor National Championships next year as well. Maybe those who are volunteers this year think it’s nice. Then we can grab hold of it again next year.
Here the spike was stuck in the shoe of an athlete. Then Lillefosse was quick to help.
Photo: Helen Wesnes
– I think there are a lot of volunteers, but there are many who come again. There are more here, Rolfen for example, he has been a volunteer since I was a performer myself!
Bente Liland and Haugsvær stop for a brief second for the photographer
Photo: Anders Eikanger
But Liland is not particularly impressed by the audience turnout.
– I have to blame, she says as she points in the journalist’s direction.
– The press?
– Yes, the newspapers. You write far too little about athletics, it’s usually football. You could certainly contribute to more interest in sports, she asserts.
Haugsvær “flew” around the Gneist Arena, and be almost everywhere at all times.
Photo: Helen Wesnes
Starter for athletics legends
When you have been in the athletics environment since the 60s, Haugsvær has a number of stories. Not everyone is as easy to come up with on the spot, but some things are impossible not to bring up when he gets the question.
– I have been a starter for
– Is this how you get “cred” for in the environment?
– Not just anyone can become a starter. You must attend a course. I’m a federal judge and a federal starter, that’s the highest you can come, says Haugsvær proudly.
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Lillefosse, who has been a volunteer since 1966, only moved to Bergen in 1995. Then he became a member of TIF Viking.
– There was a nice racing environment in Viking at the time, says Lillefosse, who can boast silver in the NM for 50 km race walking.
Later, Lilleofsse switched to Gular, as the veteran environment is better there, according to himself.
– Now I compete in almost all sports. The only person I train with in Gular I have trained with and volunteered with since the 60s, says Lillefosse.
Helge Sjursen in Gneist. He took bronze in the long run.
Photo: Helen Wesnes
– Without them, there will be nothing
Helge Sjursen, head of the main committee in the NM, says he is less stressed and tired now than he was before the convention.
– There has been a lot. Now I have been able to delegate tasks to others. They have said I should just focus on myself now, says Sjursen, who will compete even during the NM.
And it is precisely those to whom he has transferred tasks to Sjursen who point to them as invaluable.
– It is the volunteers who carry it here. If none of them had stood up, nothing would have happened. Haugsvær, among others, is a zealot who has been involved for a long time, and he has really worked to get more people involved.
