Olympic champ Alsgaard out as Swedish XC coach

Thomas Alsgaard has quit as coach of the Swedish men’s cross-country team.
STOCKHOLM, Sweden — Thomas Alsgaard has quit as coach of the Swedish men’s cross-country team.
    His departure comes just weeks before the World Nordic Ski Championships in Sapporo, Japan, in February.
    Alsgaard informed team officials of his decision last week. The former ski great was already thinking of leaving after the inaugural Tour de Ski that ended on Jan. 7, team spokesman Roberto Vacchi said Tuesday.
    “He went home to think about it after Tour de Ski and that’s when he decided,” Vacchi said.
    Alsgaard was stepping down because he lacked motivation, Swedish skiing federation official Per-Ake Yttergard told Swedish news agency TT.
    Alsgaard, 35, took over as coach of the men’s team this season. He had been criticized for skipping training camps and not having enough contact with skiers.
    Alsgaard won five Olympic gold medals before retiring in 2003.

— The Associated Press