Anorexia, a debilitating draconian diet and depression plague ski jumpers – a moving report on this subject was published on Monday by the Italian daily Il Foglio, based on earlier press reports.

Let’s save ski jumpers, anorexic Icaras who are always on the edge of the abyss – the title of the publication in a prestigious newspaper reads. This text was published a few days earlier by La Stampa.

The newspaper adds that for Amman and his brothers who want to stay in the air as long as possible, weight has become an obsession.

Nobody talks about anorexia, but the combination of skin and bone is a potentially destructive bomb, the text emphasizes.

An example is the diet of Italian Sebastian Colloredo on the day of the show jumping competition: a bar of cornflakes and chocolate for breakfast, lettuce and a handful of rice for dinner. His motto is: the kilogram makes the difference.

Martin Schmitt, quoted in the article, said recently: I am tired and exhausted, I still can’t do it. This jumper, 182 cm tall and weighing 63 kg, ate 1300 calories a day, which was only half of his needs.

Enough with the stories about anorexia – appeals the head of the coaches of the Norwegian team of ski jumpers Klas Brete Braathen.

But some stories leave unforgettable traces – adds the author of the text. One such example is the fate of Sven Hannawald, who, after winning the championship, ended up in a clinic where he treated depression.

It is noted that Finn Janne Ahonen followed a diet of 200 calories a day in order to be in great shape in Vancouver.

Sylwia Wysocka (PAP)

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